South Carolina Gubernatorial Debate Kicks Off Next Week

The first of three debates before the June 9 primary will be held at the Newberry Opera House.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:35pm

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The 2026 SCGOP Gubernatorial Debate series will begin on Wednesday, April 2nd at the Newberry Opera House in South Carolina. The debate will be televised on WAGT Channel 26 and streamed online. Several Republican candidates are confirmed to participate, but Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has decided not to attend, citing concerns over the cost for supporters to attend and her schedule.

Why it matters

The gubernatorial debates are an important part of the electoral process, allowing voters to hear directly from the candidates on the key issues facing the state. Evette's decision not to participate in the first debate has drawn some criticism, as it may limit voters' ability to compare the candidates side-by-side.

The details

The debate on April 2nd will be the first of three scheduled before the June 9 primary election. Two additional debates are planned, with a fourth debate to be held on June 16 in the event of a runoff. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has decided not to participate in the April 2nd debate, citing concerns over the cost for supporters to attend and a schedule she says is still being finalized. Evette says she plans to participate in other debate forums, including a South Carolina ETV debate her campaign has already agreed to.

  • The 2026 SCGOP Gubernatorial Debate series kicks off on Wednesday, April 2nd at 7 p.m.
  • Two additional debates are scheduled before the June 9 primary election.
  • In the event of a runoff, a fourth debate will be held on June 16 on the campus of Coastal Carolina University in Conway.

The players

Pamela Evette

The current Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina who has decided not to participate in the first gubernatorial debate, citing concerns over the cost for supporters to attend and her schedule.

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What they’re saying

“There is 'a lot of time' between now and June 9 for debates and that her campaign is working on what fits into her calendar.”

— Pamela Evette, Lieutenant Governor

“She criticized what she described as a pay-to-attend structure for the audience. Evette said there was no mechanism for grassroots supporters to attend unless campaigns purchased blocks of tickets, which she said could cost about $20,000 for 50 tickets.”

— Pamela Evette, Lieutenant Governor

What’s next

The next two debates in the SCGOP Gubernatorial Debate series are scheduled before the June 9 primary election. A fourth debate will be held on June 16 in the event of a runoff.

The takeaway

The gubernatorial debates are a crucial part of the electoral process, allowing voters to directly compare the candidates and their positions. Lt. Gov. Evette's decision not to participate in the first debate has drawn some criticism, but she has indicated she plans to participate in other debate forums leading up to the primary.