By admin 
With no Republicans on the ballot in the fall, Democrat Malcolm Taylor will replace his party’s nominee for South Carolina governor and will represent state House District 52 in January, after Tuesday’s results become official.
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In District 96, Hunter Hackett and Scotty Whetstone advanced to a runoff after no Republican candidate received more than 50% of votes, unofficial state results indicate.
District 96 voters effectively decide who represents the Lexington County district in Columbia. The only Democrat on the ballot, Vivianne Elston, will have a hard time beating the runoff’s winner in November in the heavily Republican-leaning area.
SC House District 52 to replace Jermaine Johnson
Malcolm Taylor, an Eastover resident with a law enforcement background, easily won the 2026 Democratic primary. Taylor will likely replace Jermaine Johnson, who did not seek reelection to the state House. Instead, Johnson won his party’s nomination for governor, winning 59.52% of the vote Tuesday.+
Taylor received 61.74% of votes, beating Lawrence Moore (23.95%) and Patrick Tate (14.31%).
“I’m grateful to all the turnout, it shows that our counties and our state are looking for good leadership,” Taylor said of his lead in the Democratic primary race. “It shows that people want to turn this state around for the good.”
Before primary election results, Taylor told The State that his background in law enforcement will allow him to better help District 52 residents.
It “allows me to reach people from different genres and demographics.”
Among other issues, he is focused on infrastructure, making sure people have access to mental health resources, and ensuring that children are receiving quality education.
SC House District 96 to replace Ryan McCabe
Hackett and Whetstone are in the primary runoff election June 23 after a close race where neither Republican candidate received more than 50% of the votes.
Former state Rep. Ryan McCabe, who represented District 96, did not seek reelection. The district has been consistently represented by a Republican for decades.
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Whetstone received 32.61% of votes and Hackett received 48.24%, neither one exceeding a simple majority, according to unofficial results.
Elston ran uncontested in the Democratic primary and awaits the Republican winner.
Finch received 19.15% of votes.
“As far as preparing, I’m going to continue what I’ve been doing and putting my plan out there,” Whetstone said of preparing for the runoff. “I appreciate everybody who came out and voted, and I hope that I can win over more voters, and we can take this thing all the way.”
Whetstone told The State early Monday that his previous position as a council member will help him be successful at the State House.
Whetstone said he is focused on continuing infrastructure improvements, lowering the tax burden, and supporting law enforcement along with other issues.
Hackett said he is prepared for a runoff and encourages voters to show up at polls again in two weeks.
“We can’t do it without them,” Hackett said.
Hackett told The State Monday morning that his approach is more idealistic than his opponents, focusing on what is possible and not making promises to constituents.
He is focused on tax reduction, fiscal responsibility, stronger education and infrastructure investment among other issues, Hackett said.
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