Jermaine Johnson leads the Democratic primary for South Carolina governor ahead of the June 9 contest, drawing trader consensus from his position as a sitting state representative with established party ties and visibility across key districts. Recent candidate forums, including one in Columbia on May 9, have given voters direct comparisons of platforms focused on education access, healthcare expansion, and economic development. Businessman Billy Webster and attorney Mullins McLeod trail as they build name recognition through announcements and local outreach, while Justin A. Bennett remains a distant option with limited statewide profile. Primary outcomes remain subject to voter turnout and any late shifts in endorsements or messaging within the resolution window.