Six GOP Contenders for Governor Faced Off in Charleston Primary Debate

The race to succeed term-limited Governor Henry McMaster intensified on Tuesday evening as six Republican candidates took the stage for a pivotal televised debate. The event, held at the Sottille Theatre at the College of Charleston, served as a critical opportunity for voters to evaluate the expanding field side-by-side.

The forum, which began at 7:00 PM on April 21, marked the second of three sanctioned debates by the South Carolina Republican Party (SCGOP) ahead of the upcoming June primary.

An Expanded Lineup

This particular debate saw the inclusion of two high-profile candidates who were absent from the initial cycle. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Upstate businessman Rom Reddy made their 2026 debate debuts, joining four other prominent state leaders on the stage.

The full panel of participants included:

• Nancy Mace: U.S. Representative (SC-01)

• Pamela Evette: Current Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

• Josh Kimbrell: South Carolina State Senator

• Ralph Norman: U.S. Representative (SC-05)

• Rom Reddy: Businessman

• Alan Wilson: South Carolina Attorney General

High-Stakes Discussion

Throughout the evening, the candidates moved beyond standard platform talking points to address pressing regional and statewide issues. The discussion was marked by a sharp focus on infrastructure challenges and growth management, particularly in the rapidly developing Lowcountry and Upstate corridors.

The candidates also sparred over the long-standing debate regarding formal political party registration in South Carolina—a key priority for the SCGOP this cycle.

Accessing the Record

The debate was produced in partnership with FOX Carolina. For those who were unable to watch the live broadcast, the full event was made available for replay via the FOX Carolina News app on platforms including Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV, as well as on their official website.

The Countdown to June

With the June 9 primary less than two months away, political analysts viewed this Charleston meeting as a turning point for the candidates to define their differences and secure late-stage momentum.

The final meeting of the three-debate series is scheduled to take place at Wofford College in Spartanburg on May 26, just weeks before early voting begins across the Palmetto State.

Key Dates for Voters:

• Final GOP Debate: May 26, 2026

• Primary Election: June 9, 2026

• General Election: November 3, 2026