South Carolina voters now have a solidified Democratic gubernatorial ticket for November's General Election. State Rep. Jermaine Johnson (R, Columbia)on Thursday announced Charleston Democrat Sam Skardon as his lieutenant governor running mate.
Skardon, the 38-year-old former Charleston County Democratic Party chair, joined Johnson's run for governor with about three months left until the election. The father of twins is married to Charleston County Council member Leslie Skardon.
Johnson said Skardon's ability to reach voters where they are and work with marginalized communities served as key factors in the selection.
"I'm so honored to have Sam Skardon leading this movement with me. We will be partners in this movement," he said. "We will make sure that we have your ideas at the forefront of what we're going to do because we're going to be talking to you."
Skardon works for Clean Energy Fund of the Carolinas, a nonprofit that lends money to finance clean energy projects. He had previously served as director of the not-for-profit CLIMB Fund, which lends finances to entrepreneurs turned away from banks. The fund focuses on minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses.
He also once worked for the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis.
Johnson said Skardon had already proven he can help South Carolinians through his work with nonprofits.
"I wanted a partner who has spent his career doing the work, not just talking about it,” Johnson said outside the Statehouse July 30.
Johnson and Skardon each raved about the other to the media Thursday; Skardon said Johnson was a fighter willing to go against his political party in favor of his beliefs, while Johnson said Skardon has helped people realize their dreams.
The pair envisioned a "new South Carolina" with them at the helm. Priorities in that prospect included improvements in education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Skardon said the current public education system is outdated.
"I'm a graduate of Charleston County public schools. We need to reinvent public education in South Carolina," he said.
The want for change included a mention of GOP gubernatorial nominee Alan Wilson, who is the son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson.
"A new South Carolina means economic mobility in South Carolina — not just for these sons of congressmen, but for every South Carolinian in this state," Skardon said.
The lieutenant governor position has no specific assigned power, but Johnson said he would put Skardon in charge of aiding small businesses.
Skardon had lost a race before — he unsuccessfully ran for a 2020 state Senate seat against GOP incumbent Sandy Senn. Skardon said one key component to winning was public belief.
"We need you to believe that change that seems impossible actually is possible," he said.
Johnson would be South Carolina's first Black governor if elected. He and Skardon headed to Charleston after their stop in Columbia.
Republican nominee Wilson earlier picked Florence state Sen. Mike Reichenbach as his running mate in January. Wilson is South Carolina's current attorney general.
