A new poll from Quantus Insights shows South Carolina Republicans entering the primary season with an open governor’s race that remains fluid but is beginning to tilt toward Attorney General Alan Wilson.
The survey, conducted between October 1 and 3, found that while no runaway winner has emerged in a divided field, Wilson is the frontrunner. On the initial ballot, Pamela Evette (17%), Alan Wilson (16%), and Nancy Mace (16%) are deadlocked, followed by Ralph Norman (11%) and Josh Kimbrell (5%), with 35% undecided.
When leaners — voters who are undecided but leaning toward a candidate — are included, Wilson edges ahead at 23%, with Evette at 22% and Mace at 20%. Norman trails at 13%, and Kimbrell at 6%.
Wilson’s advantage stems from his reputation as a steady hand in state politics. As attorney general, he has built credibility among the state’s electorate on crime, law enforcement, and public safety — issues that rank highly among GOP voters. Twenty percent said Wilson is the candidate best equipped to handle crime and safety, leading Mace (17%) and Evette (14%).
The Attorney General’s image also appears to be the most durable. He posts a net +18 favorability rating, the best in the field, with 38% viewing him favorably against 20% unfavorable. Evette follows with a modest +4 rating, while Mace — already a household name — is more polarizing, registering 38% favorable and 48% unfavorable.
NEW QUANTUS INSIGHTS POLL | South Carolina GOP Primary | Oct 1–3, 2025
Sponsored by Trending Politics NewsGovernor’s Race: GOP Primary with Leaners Included:
Wilson – 23%
Evette – 22%
Mace – 20%
Norman – 13%
Kimbrell – 6%
Undecided – 16%
➤ Wilson holds narrow… pic.twitter.com/cx6MgjUZJ6— Quantus Insights (@QuantusInsights) October 7, 2025
“The lack of a clear frontrunner stands out in a state accustomed to decisive early favorites,” Quantus Insights writes. “It suggests that voters, while broadly content with the party’s direction, are evaluating personalities more than policies, and that the next few months will test who can project executive steadiness rather than ideological zeal.”
Voters also signaled strong support for conservative fiscal reforms. Fifty-eight percent said they favor replacing South Carolina’s state income tax with a sales-based system, though 26% remain undecided — suggesting an appetite for measured reform.
While the governor’s race remains wide open, the Senate contest looks more settled. Sen. Lindsey Graham commands 51% percent support, far ahead of Mark Lynch (11%) and Paul Dans (6%), with about a third of voters undecided. When leaners are included, Graham rises to 58% — a level of support Quantus describes as “institutional” enthusiasm.
“[Graham’s] position reflects institutional stability rather than ideological fervor: the support of a party that, while sometimes divided in tone, is unified in its preference for a known quantity heading into a competitive national cycle,” Quantus continued.
Overall, the poll captures a Republican electorate that is pragmatic and steady. South Carolina voters appear less interested in political theater than in competence and continuity — and Wilson, for now, is the frontrunner.
, 2025-10-07 18:48:00, 
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