2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election


The 2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican Governor Mark Sanford was term limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010 and a runoff election, as was necessary on the Republican side, was held two weeks later on June 22.
Republican Nikki Haley defeated Democrat Vincent Sheheen in the general election. As of 2018, this is the closest that the Democrats have come to winning the governorship of South Carolina since their last victory in 1998. This is the 1st open seat election since 1994.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Republican primary

Candidates

Nikki Haley

Runoff

Results

Green Party">South Carolina Green Party">Green Party and [United Citizens Party] candidate

Endorsements

Senator Vincent Sheheen -- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
Representative Nikki Haley-- National Rifle Association
Representative Nikki Haley-- South Citizens for Life

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Cook Political ReportLean ROctober 29, 2010
RothenbergSafe ROctober 28, 2010
Rasmussen ReportsLean ROctober 28, 2010
Swing State ProjectLikely R
RealClearPoliticsLeans ROctober 29, 2010
Sabato's Crystal BallLikely ROctober 28, 2010
CQ PoliticsLeans ROctober 29, 2010

Polling

Poll sourceDates administeredNikki Haley Vincent Sheheen
October 21, 201048%37%
October 18, 201043%41%
October 13, 201047%39%
October 5, 201049%44%
October 5, 201049%44%
October 4, 201051%41%
October 2, 201045%41%
September 22, 201050%33%
August 25, 201052%36%
July 29, 201049%35%
June 23, 201052%40%
June 10, 201055%34%
May 22–23, 201044%34%

Results

Debates

Sponsored by the Republican Parties of Newberry and Laurens Counties

Aired on WIS-TV on September 22, 2009

Sponsored by the SC Natural Resources Society

Aired on SCETV on November 3, 2009



Sponsored by the South Carolina Republican Party

Moderated by MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski

Aired on WCSC-TV on January 28, 2010

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