FROM THE HERE NETWORK
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Spartanburg and neighboring Upstate communities following the race to succeed Gov. Henry McMaster saw Wilson and Johnson clash Tuesday night in a closed-studio hour that got chippy over income taxes, data centers, and who can actually deliver relief.
The Nov. 3 winner will succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster, and Spartanburg residents heard both nominees claim the word new while drawing bright lines on money and power.
Spartanburg households heard Upstate growth pressures echoed when data centers dominated a stretch of the hour, with Wilson backing local choice and Johnson demanding a construction pause.
Both men spent opening minutes claiming the word new. That framing lands differently in Spartanburg. Wilson meant a new generation of leadership after McMaster’s long tenure. Johnson meant a new South Carolina after what he called 24 years of Republican trifecta rule. Only one gets the job after Nov. 3.
They parted on gambling. Spartanburg voters have heard versions of this pitch for months. Johnson said he would support allowing casinos if voters approved a statewide referendum; Wilson said he would oppose casino gambling even if voters backed it. On health care, Johnson called Medicaid expansion essential for families facing crushing costs, while Wilson pointed to neighboring states’ budget strain and rejected expansion as unaffordable. Two other candidates on the November ballot, running under third-party labels, were not on the stage.
Power-hungry data centers split them. It is a live question for Spartanburg households. Johnson wants a moratorium on new builds until the General Assembly writes a real framework; he says communities should have the final say. Wilson rejects a blanket freeze, saying towns that want the property-tax upside should keep the option, with statewide guardrails on energy use, noise, and pollution.
On taxes the split was clear. The contrast is already familiar on Spartanburg airwaves. Wilson wants South Carolina on a runway to eliminate the income tax entirely and restrain spending growth to inflation plus population. Johnson wants the latest overhaul repealed because he says it raised taxes on working households, then wants exemptions rebuilt so far more residents — aiming from about 40 percent up toward 70 percent — owe no state income tax.
A show-of-hands segment produced unexpected agreement on abortion: both would leave current exceptions in place and not push a tighter ban than today’s roughly six-week law. Those stakes are concrete for Spartanburg residents. Hate-crime policy stayed contested in a state that still lacks a specific statewide statute.
Cross-examination segments got chippy. The choice will hit Spartanburg pocketbooks either way. Wilson asked how a lawmaker with no solo bills signed can remake state government. Johnson answered that Democrats survive by co-sponsoring under a supermajority — and that GOP control has not fixed affordability.
Voters in Spartanburg who missed the live feed can still weigh the same choices on income taxes, data centers, and abortion exceptions as early voting approaches. The Nov. 3 ballot will decide who replaces McMaster after a rare open-seat race without an incumbent.
