COLUMBIA, S.C. — The three candidates who laid out their plans for South Carolina governor this week agree on the problems, from the cost of living to health care, schools and roads. Where they part ways is on how far state government should go to fix them, and voters settle it on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Republican Alan Wilson, the attorney general since 2011, Democrat Jermaine Johnson, a state representative from Hopkins, and United Citizens Party nominee Michael Addison, an Orangeburg businessman and retired chiropractor, answered a set of 10 issue questions. Green Party nominee Walid Hakim did not respond.
On taxes, Wilson wants to phase out the state individual income tax using revenue triggers meant to shield schools, roads and public safety. He also backs property tax breaks for seniors and veterans, a cap tying spending growth to population and inflation, and power for a governor to pause the gas tax when prices spike.
Johnson would roll back parts of the recent income tax overhaul that he argues tilted toward wealthier residents. He backs small business tax relief, a higher minimum wage and rules to keep big data centers from passing power and grid costs on to households. Addison would also end the income tax, but would make up the money with a larger sales tax after a public review of who pays more, and he supports a $15 minimum wage.
Schools draw a sharp line. Wilson supports universal school choice along with better teacher pay and more career and technical training. Johnson opposes sending public dollars to private-school vouchers and wants universal pre-K and a funding formula that narrows the gap between rural and urban districts. Addison says he would study the existing choice programs with lawmakers before taking a side.
Medicaid is another divide. Johnson and Addison both favor expanding eligibility, with Johnson proposing medical cannabis revenue to help cover it and Addison floating a telehealth-based public option. Wilson instead points to rural clinics, telemedicine and recruiting doctors to underserved areas, and he warns that expansion could saddle taxpayers with long-term costs.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, and voters must bring a valid photo ID. Election officials say sample ballots and polling places can be checked at scVOTES.gov.
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