The early stages of South Carolina’s 2026 governor’s race look exactly like what you would expect when an open seat appears in a deep red state. Everyone wants in, nobody has locked things down yet, and Republican voters are still kicking the tires on the field.
A new survey from Quantus Insights shows just how unsettled the contest remains. The poll, conducted March 10 to March 11 among 806 likely Republican primary voters, paints a picture of a crowded field with no clear frontrunner and a large number of voters still making up their minds.
In fact, the biggest “candidate” in the race right now might be undecided.
According to the survey, roughly 39 percent of GOP voters say they still have not decided who they would support if the primary were held today. That kind of number tells you the campaign season is just getting warmed up and most voters have not yet locked into a choice.
Among voters who have picked someone, Representative Nancy Mace currently holds a slight edge with 19 percent support. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson sits right behind her at 18 percent.
Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette follows with 13 percent, while Representative Ralph Norman comes in at 9 percent. State Senator Josh Kimbrell trails the field at about 2 percent.
When the survey includes voters who say they lean toward a candidate but are not fully committed yet, the race tightens even further. Both Mace and Wilson come in at about 22 percent of the combined firm and leaning vote. Evette lands at 16 percent, Norman climbs to 11 percent, and Kimbrell reaches about 3 percent.
Even after adding those leaning voters into the mix, about one quarter of Republican voters still remain undecided.
In other words, this race is nowhere close to settled.
The numbers also show how things have shifted since Quantus Insights conducted a previous poll back in early October 2025. Mace appears to have gained momentum since that earlier snapshot, moving from third place into a tie for the lead.
Evette, on the other hand, has seen her support slip from the low 20 percent range down into the mid teens.
Wilson’s position has been the most consistent of the group. His level of support has remained relatively steady between the two surveys, suggesting a stable base among GOP voters.
While the candidate field remains fluid, Republican voters in South Carolina are much more unified about what issues matter most.
Economic concerns dominate the list. About 31 percent of respondents say the economy, inflation, and the rising cost of living are the top issues facing the state. Election integrity and voting laws follow at about 23 percent.
Taxes and government spending come in at 13 percent, while border security and immigration register around 11 percent.
Those priorities are not exactly shocking in a Republican primary. Voters want economic stability, responsible government spending, and election systems they can trust.
Demographically, the likely primary electorate also looks familiar. More than half of the respondents are age 65 or older, reflecting the older voter base that traditionally turns out in South Carolina Republican primaries.
For now, the defining feature of the race is uncertainty. The top candidates are clustered together, a large share of voters remain undecided, and the campaign has barely begun in earnest.
South Carolina primaries have a reputation for suddenly breaking once campaigns fully ramp up. That moment has not arrived yet. For now, Republican voters are still watching the field and deciding who deserves their vote.