Florence County Democratic Candidates

Dr. Jermaine Johnson is a South Carolina state representative (District 52) and Democratic candidate for Governor in 2026. Born in Los Angeles on July 4, 1985, Johnson overcame hardship through basketball, earning a scholarship to the College of Charleston. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the College of Charleston, a master's in project management from Strayer University, and a doctorate in business administration from Northcentral University.

Johnson founded Dream Team Consulting and the New Economic Beginnings Foundation, a nonprofit helping people gain employment skills. A former adjunct professor at Midlands Technical College, he is running on a platform centered on strengthening public education, expanding healthcare access, fixing infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs for South Carolinians.

Mullins McLeod is a third-generation attorney from Walterboro, South Carolina, with more than 25 years of experience in civil rights and personal injury litigation. His legal work includes serving as part of the team that negotiated an $88 million settlement for victims of the 2015 Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston.

McLeod is running for Governor on a platform focused on fighting corruption, raising teacher pay, fixing roads and infrastructure, expanding affordable healthcare, and reforming ethics laws. He is self-funding his campaign to remain free from special interest influence.

Billy Webster is a Democratic candidate for Governor of South Carolina in the 2026 election. He is based in Greenville, South Carolina.

Jason Belton is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Secretary of State in the 2026 election. He is based in Blythewood, South Carolina.

Edwina Winter is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Secretary of State in the 2026 election. She is running on a platform of accessible, transparent government services for all South Carolinians.

Vincent Coe is a Florence, South Carolina banker and Democratic candidate for State Treasurer in 2026. A Darlington native whose father served in the Vietnam War, Coe brings more than 20 years of experience in banking to his campaign, serving as vice president at a regional bank. He is CRCM-certified (Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager) and serves as a FINRA arbitrator.

Coe is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, transparency in state financial management, addressing the underfunded pension system, and ensuring every dollar of taxpayer money is used efficiently for the benefit of all South Carolinians.

Trav Robertson Jr is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina State Treasurer in the 2026 election. He is based in Columbia, South Carolina.

Richard Hricik is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Attorney General in the 2026 election. An attorney based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, he is running to bring accountability and impartiality to the state's top law enforcement office.

Tiffany Boozer is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Comptroller General in the 2026 election. She is based in the Columbia area and is committed to delivering transparent and accountable financial oversight for the state.

Bruce K. Cole is a Columbia-based Certified Public Accountant and Democratic candidate for South Carolina Comptroller General in the 2026 election. He brings extensive financial expertise to his campaign for the state's chief accounting office.

Lisa Ellis is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Superintendent of Education in the 2026 election. She is running on a platform dedicated to improving public schools, supporting teachers, and expanding access to quality education for every child in the state.

Sylvia Wright is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Superintendent of Education in the 2026 election. Based in the Moncks Corner area, she is committed to strengthening public education and expanding opportunity for students across South Carolina.

DeShawn Blanding is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture in the 2026 election. Based in Manning, South Carolina, Blanding is running to support the state's farmers, strengthen rural economies, and expand access to locally grown food for South Carolina families.

Dr. Annie Andrews is a pediatrician and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026, challenging incumbent Lindsey Graham. After earning her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati, she served for 15 years as a pediatric hospitalist at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her advocacy was galvanized by the 2018 Parkland school shooting, and she ran as the Democratic nominee for SC's 1st Congressional District in 2022.

Dr. Andrews is running on a platform of affordable healthcare, gun safety, quality public schools, and government accountability. She has pledged to accept no corporate PAC money. She lives in Mount Pleasant with her three children.

Brandon Pendarvis Brown is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in South Carolina in the 2026 election. He is based in Greer, South Carolina, and is running to bring a fresh Democratic voice to the United States Senate on behalf of South Carolinians.

Kyle Odonnell Freeman is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in South Carolina in the 2026 election. Based in Columbia, Freeman is committed to fighting for working families, expanding access to healthcare, and building a stronger future for all South Carolinians.

Congressman Jim Clyburn is the longest-serving member of South Carolina's congressional delegation, first elected in 1992 as the first African American to represent the state in Congress since 1897. He served as House Majority Whip and rose to become one of the most influential Democratic leaders in Congress, playing a pivotal role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Clyburn is a champion for HBCUs, poverty alleviation through his 10-20-30 funding formula, rural broadband access, and voting rights. He is seeking an 18th term in the 2026 election to continue serving the communities of the 6th Congressional District, which includes Florence County.

Frederick R. Goodwin is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina's 6th Congressional District in the 2026 election. He is based in Santee, South Carolina, and is running to serve the communities of the 6th District, which includes Florence County.

John Gregory Vincent is a retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief with 20 years of service, including years in the submarine force. A resident of Myrtle Beach and small business owner, Vincent is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina's 7th Congressional District — which includes Florence County — in the 2026 election.

Running on a platform of bottom-up economics, protection of Medicaid and Medicare, expanded mental health resources, and commonsense gun safety, Vincent is working to become the first Democrat in over a century to represent the Grand Strand and Pee Dee in Congress.

Rep. Jackie E. "Coach" Hayes has represented a district including portions of Florence County in the SC House of Representatives since 1998. Born in Marion, SC, Hayes graduated from Catawba College and spent decades as Athletic Director and head football coach at Dillon High School, earning over 300 wins and Athletic Director of the Year honors.

In the legislature, Hayes serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and has made fully funding public education his top priority, working tirelessly for students and families across the Pee Dee region.

Rep. Terry Alexander is a Florence native who has served SC House District 59 — covering Florence and Marion counties — since 2006. He holds a Master of Divinity from Howard University and previously served on the Florence County Council for 16 years, twice as Chairman. He has also worked as a pastor, education consultant, and adjunct professor.

In the legislature, Alexander serves as 2nd Vice Chair of the Education and Public Works Committee and has championed public education funding, voting rights, and economic opportunity for the people of the Pee Dee.

Adrian Peguese Carter is a respected Florence attorney and Democratic candidate for SC House District 60 in the 2026 election. A member of the litigation team at Turner Padget Law, she was named the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division's Young Lawyer of the Year in 2024, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the legal profession and her advocacy for underserved communities.

Carter is running to bring her legal expertise and commitment to community service to the SC House, where she aims to represent the residents of Florence County with dedication and integrity.

Melissa O'Shea is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina House of Representatives District 60 in the 2026 election. Based in Florence, she is participating in the Democratic primary for this Florence County district, working to bring a strong Democratic voice to the SC General Assembly.

Rep. Robert Q. Williams has represented SC House District 62, covering parts of Darlington and Florence counties, since 2007. A veteran of the South Carolina Army National Guard who served in Iraq, Williams holds a B.S. from Voorhees College and an M.P.A. from Troy State University. He has worked as a Business Development Consultant and director of fatherhood engagement programs.

Known as "The People's Candidate," Williams champions equal rights, women's rights, fully funded public education, affordable healthcare, and commonsense gun safety. He serves on the Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee.

Kory Haskins is a Florence resident and Democratic candidate for SC House District 63 in the 2026 election. Educated at Florence-Darlington Technical College, Haskins ran as the Democratic nominee for this district in the 2024 general election. His campaign focuses on women's rights, healthcare access, and equality for all residents of Florence.

He has earned an endorsement from Planned Parenthood Votes! and is committed to fighting for Florence families in the SC House of Representatives.

Sloan Hilton is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina House of Representatives District 63 in the 2026 election. Based in Florence, Hilton is competing in the Democratic primary alongside Kory Haskins and is committed to representing the residents of Florence in the SC General Assembly.

Martin T. Cunningham is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina House of Representatives District 101, which includes portions of Berkeley, Florence, and Williamsburg counties, in the 2026 election. He is based in Greeleyville, South Carolina, and is running to represent the rural communities of the lower Pee Dee region.

Rep. Roger K. Kirby grew up in Lake City and is a Realtor and certified appraiser who has represented the Lake City and lower Florence County area in the SC House since 2014. He serves as House Assistant Minority Leader and sits on the Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee. In 2025 he was elected First Vice Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

Kirby and his wife Pam have three children and are deeply involved in the Lake City community. He is running for re-election in the redrawn District 101, which covers parts of Berkeley, Florence, and Williamsburg counties.

Cheryl O. Lane is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina House of Representatives District 101, which includes portions of Berkeley, Florence, and Williamsburg counties, in the 2026 election. She is based in Greeleyville, South Carolina, and is running to serve the residents of the Williamsburg and lower Florence County communities.

Susan C. McGill is a Florence attorney and Democratic candidate for Solicitor of South Carolina's 12th Judicial Circuit, which serves Florence and Marion counties, in the 2026 election. McGill has served as an Assistant Solicitor in the 12th Circuit Solicitor's Office, where she has prosecuted cases in both Magistrates Court and General Sessions Court across a broad range of criminal matters.

Her legal practice also encompasses personal injury and family law. McGill brings hands-on courtroom experience and a commitment to justice for every resident of Florence and Marion counties.

April E. Allison is a Democratic candidate for Florence County Auditor in the 2026 election. Based in Johnsonville, South Carolina, she is running to bring accountability and transparency to the Florence County Auditor's office.

Jason M. Springs has served as Florence County Council Member for District 1 since 2013, representing the Lake City and lower Florence County area. Before joining the County Council, Springs served two terms on Lake City City Council, demonstrating a longstanding commitment to his community.

Known for his direct engagement with constituents, Springs works to ensure the voices of District 1 residents are heard on county infrastructure, public services, and economic development.

Alphonso 'AL' Bradley is a Democratic candidate for Florence County Council District 3 in the 2026 election. Based in Florence, Bradley is running to serve the residents of District 3 and work to improve the quality of life for all Florence County families.

Decar Brown is a Democratic candidate for Florence County Council District 7 in the 2026 election. Based in Florence, Brown is running to represent the residents of District 7 on the County Council and to bring fresh energy and ideas to Florence County governance.

Rev. Dr. Waymon Mumford has represented Florence County Council District 7 since 1994 and served as Council Chairman in 2019. A lifelong Florence resident, he spent 25 years with the Florence Police Department, retiring as Chief of Police, before transitioning to elected public service. He holds degrees from Florence-Darlington Technical College, Limestone College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center, and earned an honorary Doctor of Laws from Morris College.

Dr. Mumford has served as pastor of Central Baptist Church since 1998, and his decades of service reflect a lifetime commitment to justice, public safety, and the well-being of Florence County residents.