Can a Democrat win South Carolina?
That’s the question at the heart of my conversation with Dr. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee for governor.
Rather than conduct a traditional political interview, I invited viewers across South Carolina to submit the questions they wanted answered. The result is a wide-ranging discussion focused on the issues voters say matter most — and increased community involvement.
Johnson discusses his plans for:
- repairing South Carolina’s deteriorating roads and bridges;
- improving public education;
- expanding Medicaid and increasing healthcare access;
- reforming state taxes;
- helping veterans and expanding affordable housing;
- reducing gun violence through responsible firearm policies while supporting the 2nd Amendment.
- protecting women’s reproductive rights;
- regulating AI data centers while protecting South Carolina’s natural resources; and
- increasing voter participation.
Johnson also explains why he believes decades of one-party Republican control have left South Carolina falling behind—and why he believes voters are ready for a different direction.
Whether you agree with his positions or not, this interview offers an opportunity to hear directly from one of the state’s major candidates for governor without campaign ads or sound bites.
I hope you’ll watch the conversation and then share your thoughts in the comments.
▶ Watch to the full interview.
▶ If you prefer audio, you can also listen wherever you get your podcasts, or click here.
In This Episode
- Why Johnson is running for governor
- Can a Democrat actually win South Carolina?
- Taxes and the state budget
- Roads and infrastructure
- Education reform
- Healthcare and Medicaid expansion
- AI data centers
- Reproductive rights
- Gun violence
- Veterans’ issues
- Voter participation
- Audience questions from South Carolinians
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