[2] Republican-turned-Independent Tom Ervin, an attorney, former state representative and former circuit court judge ran, but withdrew in the final week and endorsed Sheheen.

[3] Other candidates included Libertarian businessman Steve French;[4] and former NFL player Morgan Bruce Reeves of the United Citizens Party.

He was succeeded by a fellow Republican, President pro tempore of the South Carolina Senate Glenn F. McConnell.

McConnell had planned to run, but withdrew from the race in January 2014[6] and was announced as the next president of the College of Charleston in March, a position he took up in June.

He went as far as resigning as president pro tempore, to avoid becoming lieutenant governor, a position widely regarded as one of the weakest in the state.

[8] The dispute was finally ended when Democrat Yancey McGill agreed to become Senate President pro tempore, and then lieutenant governor.

[18] Lee Atwater's widow Sally Atwater, Anderson County School Board member Gary Burgess, South Carolina Department of Education official Meka Bosket Childs, Amy Cofield, candidate for the State House in 2010 Sheri Few, Don Jordan, Charleston County School Board member and candidate for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in 2013 Elizabeth Moffly and former state representative Molly Mitchell Spearman ran for the Republican nomination.

As no candidate won a majority, a runoff was held between the top two finishers, Molly Mitchell Spearman and Sally Atwater.

In the "awkward", "evasive" and "awful, incomprehensible, it-should-force-her-to-drop-out-of-the-race" interview, she seemed unable to give answers to basic questions about sex education and the teaching of evolution, to Cassell's amazement.

[25] Atwater was also the subject of a lawsuit alleging that as a teacher she "routinely harassed, physically assaulted, and psychologically tormented" a disabled student.

As no candidate won a majority, a runoff was held between the top two finishers, Sheila C. Gallagher and Tom Thompson.

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers, who was appointed to the position in September 2004, ran for re-election to a third full term in office.

[30] He faced six challengers in the Republican primary: pastor and businessman Det Bowers,[31] State Senator Lee Bright,[32] businessman and candidate for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district in 2010 Richard Cash,[33] attorney, Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2010 Bill Connor,[34] attorney Benjamin Dunn[35] and businesswoman and author Nancy Mace.

Independents Brandon Armstrong, a painting contractor,[42] and Jill Bossi, former Vice President of the American Red Cross,[43] are also running.

Democratic Advisory Question One asked primary voters whether each state, rather than Congress, should determine whether to allow and how to regulate online gaming.

Democratic Advisory Question Two asked whether gaming laws should be "modified" to fund transportation needs in the state, rather than tax increases.

Democratic Advisory Question Three asked whether medical marijuana should be legalized for the treatment of "severe, chronic illnesses."

Republican Question 1 asked whether the "privileges and immunities" of South Carolina citizens under the state constitution should be extended to unborn fetuses.