Candidate for governor hopes 'outsider' status, late boost will lead to primary success

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - An Upstate businessman hoping for an outside win in the primary race for governor.

Republican John Warren, who is new to the political game got a last-minute boost in the polls. It appears he gained steam right up until election day.

Warren has never run for public office before, but that is something he prides himself on: being a "political outsider."

He says it sets him apart from his opponents, who include current Gov. Henry McMaster.

The latest poll released Tuesday afternoon by the Trafalgar Group shows McMaster in the lead still with 44 percent of the vote, then John Warren behind him with 22 percent and Catherine Templeton with 20 percent.

Warren is a Marine Corps combat veteran and a Greenville businessman.

During his campaign, he has talked about the need to solve statewide problems and calls on his experience as an entrepreneur.

As the chairman of an Upstate real estate lender, he says solving problems is what he does. In terms of campaign finances, Warren has contributed more than $3 million of his own money leading up to Tuesday's primary.

Besides McMaster, Warren is facing a challenge from Mount Pleasant attorney Catherine Templeton, Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant and former Lieutenant Governor Yancey McGill on the Republican side and State Rep. James Smith, Phil Noble and Marguerite Willis on the Democratic ballot.

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