South Carolina: Joint Polling Results

New Gov. Henry McMaster (R), who ascended to the state’s top position when incumbent Nikki Haley (R) was appointed US Ambassador to the United Nations, already faces four declared Republicans and three Democrats as tomorrow’s candidate filing deadline fast approaches in preparation for the June 12th primary election.   
 
The Save the Children Action Network commissioned a joint Democratic and Republican poll that was just released (TargetPoint Consulting/Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research; 3/10-17; 800 SC registered voters; 397 SC likely Republican primary voters; 296 SC likely Democratic voters), and the totals find Gov. McMaster pulling 41% support.  Former Haley cabinet official Catherine Templeton is next with 10%, followed by Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant’s five percent, while former Democratic Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill posts 3%, and Greenville businessman John Warren stands at 2% support. 
 
For the Democrats, state Rep. James Smith (D-Columbia) leads with 18% over Florence attorney Marguerite Willis’ 11%, and Charleston businessman Phil Noble who garners seven percent.  If no candidate receives majority support in the original primary election, the top two finishers in each party then advance to a June 26th run-off election.

--Jim Ellis