South Carolina State Senator Sean Bennett has recently told GOP voters that the state needs a “serious” governor who can focus on realistic and collaborative governance. The 56-year-old financial planner from Summerville has not yet officially announced his candidacy for governor, but he is considering running.
Bennett spoke to a crowd at a Richland County GOP meeting on Monday, sharing his thoughts on the qualities a governor should have. While he emphasized the importance of tackling serious issues, he also made it clear that he is not just interested in chasing headlines.
Bennett, who has served in the state Senate since 2012, told reporters after the meeting that he doesn’t have a set timeline for making his decision about running, but he plans to announce his choice soon. As of now, no official candidates have entered the 2026 gubernatorial race.
Former state Treasurer and reality TV star Thomas Ravenel had announced his bid but dropped out just days later. Despite this, the field for the Republican primary is growing with more than 15 months left until the election.
Bennett is not the first Republican to explore a gubernatorial bid this year. U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, who has represented South Carolina’s 1st District since 2020, spoke at a GOP event in January. Mace took jabs at her most likely opponents, such as Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, although she did not officially announce her candidacy.
Another state senator, Josh Kimbrell from Spartanburg County, has also indicated that he is considering a run and is expected to speak at a Richland County GOP meeting next month.
Bennett acknowledged that family and business matters would play a significant role in his decision-making process. As the chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, Bennett was re-elected last year without opposition to represent a district that includes parts of Dorchester and Charleston counties. He is also the president and CEO of Asset Integration Consultants, a wealth management firm. He explained that entering the governor’s race would require him to step away from his current professional life, something he would need to carefully consider.
In his speech, Bennett also shared his views on South Carolina’s tax policies. As a policy expert, Bennett has long called for changes to the state’s tax code. While many Republicans, including Ravenel, have advocated for eliminating the state income tax, Bennett argued that this approach would not be practical.
He noted that income tax collections account for nearly 45% of the state’s general fund revenues. If the state were to eliminate income tax, it would likely lead to higher sales and property taxes to make up for the loss in revenue.
Bennett said that while no one wants to pay taxes, some level of taxation is necessary for the state to provide essential services. He also pointed out that a significant number of tax filers in South Carolina do not pay any state income taxes. This is due to previous rounds of tax cuts that eliminated the lower tax brackets. For those who do pay taxes, their effective average tax rate is actually lower than most other states with an income tax.
Rather than eliminating taxes altogether, Bennett proposed a plan to lower tax rates overall by broadening the tax base. He emphasized that this idea is not new and that he has been advocating for it for years. If he decides to run for governor, he plans to take this message to voters and use the power of the office to push for his proposed tax reforms.
Bennett also recognized that the South Carolina governor’s office has limited power compared to the state legislature. To accomplish anything, a governor needs to work in partnership with legislative leaders in both the House and Senate. He explained that a governor who constantly fights with the General Assembly will lose in the long run. Instead, he believes that a governor who can work collaboratively with lawmakers to address the state’s most pressing issues will be more successful.
When asked about his thoughts on other potential candidates, Bennett said that he wants to be seen as a serious candidate focused on solving real problems. He expressed frustration with what he described as “performative politics” that often dominates the public discourse. Bennett stressed that the public wants a leader who is willing to take on serious issues rather than just seeking attention through dramatic or controversial statements.
In the coming months, Bennett will likely continue to weigh his options and decide whether he will officially run for governor. His message to voters, however, is clear: South Carolina needs a governor who is willing to work with others, tackle important issues, and focus on realistic solutions.
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