Columbia, South Carolina, September 24, 2025
News Summary
A recent poll reveals that 35% of South Carolina Republicans remain undecided in their choice for governor ahead of the primary election. Congresswoman Nancy Mace leads with 19% support, closely followed by Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette at 18% and Attorney General Alan Wilson with 16%. Key voter issues include taxes and inflation, with significant demographics highlighting predominantly older and white voters. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Columbia, South Carolina – A recent poll conducted by Co-efficient shows that a significant portion of South Carolina Republicans remain undecided on their choice for governor, with 35% of respondents reporting they have not made up their minds. The findings highlight the competitive landscape as the race for the governor’s mansion heats up ahead of the primary election.
Among those who have made a decision, Congresswoman Nancy Mace currently leads the pack with 19% support, narrowly ahead of Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, who has 18%. Attorney General Alan Wilson is closely trailing Evette with 16% of the respondents expressing their preference for him. Representative Ralph Norman received support from 10% of participants, while State Senator Josh Kimbrell garnered a mere 2%.
The poll, which has a margin of error of +/- 3.17%, offers further insights into voter sentiment. Of the participants, 36% expressed a favorable opinion of Mace, while 29% held a favorable view of Evette. Mace also has a higher unfavorable rating at 26%, compared to Evette’s 6%. Attorney General Wilson shares a favorable rating of 34%, with 10% of respondents indicating an unfavorable opinion of him.
When it comes to name recognition, Mace is recognized by 94% of poll participants, with only 6% stating they had never heard of her. Meanwhile, 31% of respondents were unfamiliar with Evette, 26% with Norman, and 22% with Wilson. The lack of recognition is stark for Kimbrell, as almost 50% of respondents reported having never heard of him.
Key issues for voters include taxes and spending, along with inflation, both cited as the most important issues by 15% of those surveyed. The demographics of the poll respondents may provide additional context, as over half of them were over the age of 65, and 94% identified as white. A significant portion of the respondents, about a third, indicated household incomes between $100,000 and $150,000. Notably, the most polled Designated Market Area (DMA) was Greenville, where 34% of respondents were located.
The South Carolina Republican Primary date has yet to be announced, but the general election is slated for November 3rd, 2026.
Poll Summary
- 35% of South Carolina Republicans are undecided on their gubernatorial candidate.
- Nancy Mace leads with 19% support.
- Pamela Evette follows closely with 18% support.
- Alan Wilson has 16% support, followed by Ralph Norman at 10% and Josh Kimbrell at 2%.
- The margin of error for the poll is +/- 3.17%.
- 36% have a favorable opinion of Mace, while 29% favor Evette.
- Voter issues include taxes/spending and inflation, noted by 15% of respondents.
- Respondent demographics include 94% white voters and over half aged 65 or older.
- General election set for November 3, 2026.
FAQ Section
What percentage of South Carolina Republicans are undecided about the governor race?
35% of respondents reported they have not made up their minds on a candidate for governor.
Who leads the poll among declared candidates?
Congresswoman Nancy Mace leads with 19% of support.
What is the margin of error for the poll?
The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.17%.
Which issues are most important to the surveyed voters?
Key issues among voters include taxes/spending and inflation, each identified by 15% of respondents as the most important.
When is the South Carolina general election scheduled?
The general election is scheduled for November 3rd, 2026.
Poll Key Features Chart
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Undecided Voters | 35% |
| Leading Candidate | Nancy Mace – 19% |
| Second Candidate | Pamela Evette – 18% |
| Third Candidate | Alan Wilson – 16% |
| Unfavorable Opinion of Mace | 26% |
| Unfavorable Opinion of Evette | 6% |
| Key Issues (Taxes/Spending & Inflation) | 15% each |
| General Election Date | November 3, 2026 |
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Additional Resources
- ABC Columbia: Poll Shows Most Undecided on SC Gov Election
- Newsweek: Nancy Mace’s Chances in SC Gubernatorial Primary Poll
- ABC News 4: Majority Still Undecided, Evette Gaining Momentum
- The Guardian: Paul Dans’ South Carolina Project 2025
- Google Search: South Carolina Gubernatorial Election
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