South Carolina Democratic nominee for governor Dr. Jermaine Johnson discusses his plans for addressing key issues, including roads, schools, healthcare, taxes and more, in an exclusive interview with Lean to the Left.

To bring voters into the discussion, this conversation is driven by questions submitted through social media, giving South Carolina citizens a chance to ask Johnson about the issues they care about most.

Johnson says decades of one-party Republican control have left South Carolina with some of the nation’s worst roads, struggling schools, limited healthcare access, and too many working families falling behind.

His goal? To help bring South Carolina out of the political dark ages—and into a future with better roads, stronger schools, affordable healthcare, and greater opportunity.

In this interview, Johnson discusses:

✅ Repairing South Carolina’s crumbling roads and bridges

✅ Improving public Education and supporting teachers

✅ Expanding Medicaid and increasing access to healthcare

✅ Reforming state taxes without hurting working families

✅ Increasing affordable housing and helping veterans

✅ Reducing gun violence through responsible firearm policies

✅ Protecting women’s reproductive freedom

✅ Regulating AI data centers while protecting South Carolina’s natural resources

✅ Increasing voter participation and restoring confidence in state government

Johnson stresses the need for political candidates to tell the truth about what’s realistically possible to solve problems, and not make unrealistic promises rather than make promises that can’t be kept — like eliminating the state income tax, which provides 50% of funding for the state’s budget.

Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or simply concerned about South Carolina’s future, this conversation offers an in-depth look at one of the state’s most important elections.

What do you think? Can a Democrat win South Carolina? Let us know in the comments below.

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About Lean to the Left

Hosted by veteran journalist Bob Gatty, Lean to the Left features independent journalism, insightful interviews, and progressive commentary on the issues shaping America today.

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction: Can a Democrat Win South Carolina?

01:02 Why Jermaine Johnson Is Running for Governor

03:00 Can a Democrat Win in a Red State?

03:45 Winning Independent Voters

05:05 Is Trump’s Grip on South Carolina Slipping?

06:15 Tax Reform & The Income Tax Debate

09:25 Fixing South Carolina’s Roads & Bridges

11:45 Education, Schools & Infant Mortality

14:05 AI Data Centers & “Bring Your Own Energy”

15:55 Abortion & Reproductive Rights

17:55 Gun Violence & Responsible Gun Ownership

19:45 Increasing Voter Participation

21:30 Helping Veterans & Affordable Housing

22:55 His Choice for Lieutenant Governor?

23:45 How to Support the Campaign

25:05 Final Thoughts

#SouthCarolina #JermaineJohnson #SouthCarolinaGovernor #SouthCarolinaPolitics #Election2026 #Healthcare #Education #Infrastructure #MedicaidExpansion #LeanToTheLeft #BobGatty

This interview was recorded in South Carolina as part of Lean to the Left’s continuing coverage of the 2026 South Carolina governor’s race.Jereymy Johnson Inter

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Bob Gatty Author, Podcaster, Blogger

For many years, Bob Gatty worked as a writer, editor, and communications consultant, based on the Washington, DC area with a focus on government and politics. He began at The Pittsburgh Courier, an African American weekly, covering crime and the courts. His salary was $55 per week before moving on to two local Pennsylvania dailies. At age 24, he began reporting for United Press International covering state politics in Pennsylvania and then New Jersey, where he was UPI’s state capitol bureau in Trenton.

Tempted by the allure of Washington, DC and big-time politics, at age 29 Bob became press secretary and chief of staff for two Congressmen – first Republican Edwin B. Forsythe, and then Democrat James J. Florio, who later became governor of New Jersey and until his recent death was a frequent podcast guest and co-host of Bob’s NFN Radio News podcast (now called Lean to the Left).

After seven years on Capitol Hill, Bob opened a communications business in Washington, first providing political media consulting to candidates and then freelance Washington coverage for business and trade magazines, plus creative communications services for trade and professional associations, including social media. This work involved articles and analyses of key governmental developments affecting businesses, such as the food and Health industries, retailing, and the environment.

His work as a communications consultant to trade and professional associations included launching and editing association publications, providing website content and social media assistance, and covering conferences and conventions.

Bob retired from G-Net Strategic Communications in 2016 and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he launched his blog site, first called Not Fake News, now known as Lean to the Left.

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