Gov. Gavin Newsom & Dr. Jermaine Johnson on South Carolina Governor’s Race
September 5, 2026
AI Summary
5 min read“I literally went from no house to the state house.” That line, from South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Dr. Jermaine Johnson, captures the central argument of this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast. Joined by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Johnson makes the case that his race against Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson is not just competitive but winnable—and that the underlying dynamics in South Carolina are far more volatile than national pundits assume.
The case for a competitive South Carolina
The episode opens with a striking data point: a recent Economist/YouGov poll shows Donald Trump’s approval rating in South Carolina at net negative 26 points. That figure, in a state long considered ruby red, provides the backdrop for Newsom’s “Take It Back” tour through three southern states. Newsom describes standing-room-only crowds and an electorate that has not “given in to cynicism, fear, and anxiety.” He frames the race not as a messaging exercise but as a matter of “humanity” and “survival,” arguing that voters want to be “seen and heard” amid what he calls an “assault on voting rights, civil rights, and the rollback of the anti-DEI, anti-woke movement.”
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What you'll learn
- 1 (02:06) **South Carolina’s Political Landscape & the “Take It Back” Tour** - Host Ben introduces the episode with new polling showing Trump at net -26 approval in South Carolina and footage of Governor Newsom’s packed southern tour.
- 2 (04:15) **Why South Carolina? Newsom’s Ground-Level Observations** - Newsom explains his presence in the state and the emotional resonance of the campaign.
- 3 (07:03) **Dr. Jermaine Johnson’s Personal Story: From Homelessness to the State House** - Johnson shares his biography to illustrate why his candidacy is unique and credible.
- 4 (09:23) **How Real Is the Momentum? Addressing the “Hopium” Question** - Johnson responds to skeptics who doubt a Democrat can win in South Carolina.
- 5 (11:04) **The Opponent: MAGA Republican Alan Wilson’s Record** - The conversation contrasts Johnson with his opponent, the state attorney general.
- 6 (13:36) **The Stakes of Inaction: Medicaid and Minimum Wage** - Newsom highlights specific, fixable policy failures in the state.
- 7 (14:14) **A Historic Organizing Effort: Competing in Every District** - A structural shift in Democratic strategy is explained.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump facing major polling trouble in South Carolina as his approval numbers deteriorate, and speaks with California Governor Gavin Newsom and South Carolina State Representative Dr. Jermaine Johnson, the Democratic nominee for governor of South Carolina, about the latest developments, what they are seeing on the ground, and the political landscape heading into the midterms.
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