COLUMBIA, S.C. — Attorney General Alan Wilson and State Rep. Jermaine Johnson faced off Tuesday night in what is expected to be the only debate between the gubernatorial candidates before the November election.
Both candidates claimed victory after an hour-long debate where issues like data centers, fentanyl deaths, Flock cameras, and school funding were addressed.
A poll released this week by Resonance Media shows Wilson with a 10-point edge on Johnson. However, 15% of the people polled remain undecided about who they will vote for on November 3.
The candidates clashed several times during the debate, particularly over the state’s lack of a hate crime law.
South Carolina remains one of two states without a state-based hate crime law.
The candidates heard from one voter in a question recorded for the debate, who is concerned about how the candidates would ensure LGBTQIA+ citizens are a protected class in South Carolina.
Wilson spoke first, saying prosecutors and law enforcement need additional tools in the form of enhancement bills, which would allow the inclusion of evidence to support identity-based violence in the court of law.
He did say he does not think speech or thought should be punished, but violent acts against a protected class should be.
Johnson said Wilson has stood against a hate-crime law in South Carolina. He added that Wilson has issued opinions against counties that have passed their own hate-crime ordinances.
Wilson, in his rebuttal, said that this is “categorically false.” He added that the issue at the crux of these opinions is whether or not municipalities should be able to pass penal codes.
Both Wilson and Johnson pledged to root out waste and fraud in government, lower the cost of living, improve the state’s infrastructure, and make the South Carolina safer.
SENATE CANDIDATES CLASH OVER TRANSGENDER ISSUES AHEAD OF DEBATE
With less than a month until the November election, South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race is drawing fresh attention after President Donald Trump used a transgender slur to describe Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in a social media post.
Andrews and Republican candidate Sen. Darline Graham are campaigning to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Both candidates have been on the trail for months and spoke about their campaigns and the president’s post in interviews Tuesday with WACH Fox News.
Andrews, a pediatrician, met with supporters at a community center in Columbia Tuesday afternoon.
In a post to Truth Social on Monday night, President Trump targeted Andrews over her views, using a transgender slur to describe her, calling her “Trannie Andrews,” referencing her views on transgender issues.
Andrews responded Tuesday.
“It’s definitely not presidential. If name calling would help lower gas prices and grocery prices he can call me all the names he wants,” said Andrews.
Dr. Andrews has leaned into her career outside politics, saying the skills she learned as a doctor will carry over into the Senate if she is elected.Andrews said affordability is a priority for her campaign, along with reversing healthcare cuts.
Graham also addressed the President’s social media, and re-directed attention to the transgender issue.
“No that’s not how I would’ve said it. I think it’s more about the issue here. She (Andrews) supports hormone treatment to help minors transition,” said Graham.
Graham said her conservative values make her a good fit for South Carolina and said she wants to focus on affordability and issues she says South Carolinians are facing if she is elected.
Graham has centered her campaign around her conservative values and has emphasized her support for Trump.
Andrews, Graham and third-party candidate Kasie Whitener debate on Sunday at 7 p.m. on ETV.
Wilson faces competition in 2nd Congressional district
With the November general election a month away, we wanted to give the candidates running for South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District an opportunity to speak directly to voters.
Republican incumbent Congressman Joe Wilson went beyond the podium with WACH FOX News to lay out his agenda to voters.
Political newcomer Zyon Khalifa is challenging Wilson as a Democrat. The former South Carolina track and field athlete also spoke with WACH Fox News about his plans if elected.
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