Insights from our pollster: S.C. voters support tax relief, fiscal discipline, and transparency

SC Policy Council Poll, July 21–25, 2025 | n = 1,200 Registered Voters | MOE ±2.77%

South Carolina's electorate is sending a clear message. They want a government that spends less, taxes smarter, and operates in the open.

The latest South Carolina Policy Council Poll reveals overwhelming support for cutting taxes, capping spending, and mandating transparency.

The poll identified a significant segment of voters who feel politically unmoored. With 31% identifying as "politically homeless" (52% of independents and 39% of moderates), this group presents a prime audience for pragmatic, non-partisan solutions.

As the 2026 gubernatorial race takes shape, these findings signal a mandate for candidates who champion tax relief, transparency, responsible government, and accountability.

Wide-open governor's race

The electorate is still in the early stages of its decision-making process for the open-seat contest to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster.

In the Republican primary, a hypothetical matchup shows U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace leading with 16% support, closely followed by Attorney General Alan Wilson at 15%. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette garners 8%, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman 6%, and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell 3%. More than half of potential GOP primary voters remain undecided, reflecting the nascent stage of the campaign.

The Democratic side is even more fluid, with 83% undecided. Among the thin support for named candidates, state Sen. Jeffrey Graham and state Rep. Jermaine Johnson each draw 5%, while state Sens. Russell Ott and Ed Sutton, along with former state Rep. Mandy Powers Norrell, each hover around 2%.

More than half (54%) of likely GOP primary voters say a Trump endorsement would make them much (31%) or somewhat (23%) more likely to back the endorsed candidate. Just 7% say it would make them less likely, while 35% report no impact and 4% are unsure.

Trump's seal of approval would consolidate a fractured field, where no candidate yet commands a definitive lead.

Politically underrepresented

A striking 31% of South Carolinians feel "politically homeless," unrepresented by either major party. This sentiment spikes to 52% among independents, 35% among Democrats, and 21% among Republicans. Ideologically, moderates (39%) and liberals (35%) feel this most acutely, although 23% of conservatives also report feeling alienated.

Taxes, spending, and the surplus

If there's one area where South Carolina voters show unity, it's on fiscal issues. Across party and ideological lines, there is broad support for limiting government spending, providing tax relief, and increasing transparency.

Given a state budget surplus, only 34% of voters want to see it used to expand public services. The rest favor some form of tax relief whether through direct rebates (19%), property tax reductions (16%), or accelerating efforts to eliminate the income tax (14%).

Eliminating the state income tax enjoys overwhelming support—73% overall, including 83% of Republicans, 66% of independents, and even 60% of Democrats.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of voters believe ending the income tax would help attract new businesses to the state.

Voters also support placing limits on government spending, with 68% favoring a formal spending cap. Support spans the political spectrum, including 77% of Republicans, 61% of independents, and 56% of Democrats.

And when it comes to how to spend the surplus, property tax relief emerges as a popular use, with 76% in favor driven by 82% of Republicans, 72% of Democrats, and 65% of independents.

There’s also support for cutting waste and streamlining state government. A proposal to create a State Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) drew 68% support, despite being more polarizing than other proposals tested in the poll. Still, it earned backing from 87% of Republicans and 57% of independents, and 42% of Democrats.

Transparency isn't partisan—It's expected

In an era when trust in government is shaky, transparency commands near-universal approval. Eight in ten (80%) voters support livestreaming legislative meetings, with majorities in every political group including 83% of Republicans, 76% of Democrats, and 83% of independents.

Earmark disclosure rules are also widely supported with 81% of respondents backing them overall. Support remains high across the board: Republicans (85%), Democrats

(75%), and independents (81%) all favor increased accountability in how state funds are allocated.

Education and courts

Voters are united in demanding accountability in education and judicial systems:

· Parental Rights: 72% say it's important for parents to review curricula, access records, and choose schooling options (80% Republicans, 60% Democrats, 73% independents; 86% conservatives, 65% moderates, and 54% of liberals.

· Grading Floors Ban: Over half (51%) support prohibiting mandatory minimum grades reflecting a shared push for academic standards.

· Judicial Independence: 59% back removing lawyer-legislators from the JMSC, a rare point of consensus for fairer courts.

· DUI Leniency: 74% agree courts are too lenient on repeat offenders, indicating strong support for more accountability in sentencing.

Right/wrong track

When asked about the direction of the country, voters are split. More than half (51%) express satisfaction with the United States, while 48% are dissatisfied. But the divide is deeply partisan: 74% of Republicans are satisfied, compared to just 24% of Democrats and 32% of independents.

Locally, South Carolinians feel more optimistic about their state. A solid 60% say the state is headed in the right direction, with high marks from Republicans (80%), more modest approval from independents (45%), and skepticism among Democrats (only 37% satisfied).

The state legislature enjoys a narrow net-positive rating (49% approve, 43% disapprove, 8% no opinion), though, again, opinions diverge: Republicans overwhelmingly approve (64%), while Democrats (32%) and independents (35%) are more critical.

On energy and trade, voters remain cautiously pragmatic

Support for nuclear energy expansion is steady at 58% among registered voters illustrating a rare issue where partisans and ideologues converge. Tariffs on foreign goods draw 46% support primarily among the Republicans. Support for tariffs is negative among independents and Democrats.

Voters are split on the idea of building local data centers, with 42% in favor and 43% opposed. Among supporters, there’s a near even split of support and opposition if construction led to higher energy bills to support the infrastructure of these facilities. While 46% would still support construction, half (50%) say they would oppose bringing new data centers to their community under these terms.

Seizing the moment

South Carolina voters are ready for bold reforms that cut taxes, curb spending, and demand accountability and transparency from local government. As the 2026 primaries and midterms approach, supporters of bipartisan priorities can reshape their respective races and improve trust in governance across the state.

Issue Support By Party and Ideology

Randy Ellison is founder and president of Targoz Market Research, where he advises corporations, associations, non-profits, and government agencies on consumer and voter attitudes, product development, and communications strategy. He previously served as Director of Marketing at the National Federation of Independent Business and worked in media research and polling at Gannett Newspapers. Ellison holds a graduate degree in political management from The George Washington University and a B.A. in economics from the University of Tennessee.