State Superintendent of Education South Carolina in Statewide, South Carolina

2026 Primary Election

• Lisa E Ellis — Teacher and student activities director in Blythewood, SC

  Lisa Ellis, born in Columbia, SC, boasts over 25 years of classroom experience as an educator, instructional coach, and student activities director, holding multiple SC degrees. A vocal public education advocate, she founded SCforEd in 2018, organizing a historic rally of over 10,000 educators. As the 2022 Democratic nominee for SC Superintendent of Education, she garnered the highest statewide Democratic vote total. Now running in the 2026 primary, her platform prioritizes strengthening public education, supporting educators, and ensuring high-quality education for all, with a clear aim to defeat the incumbent.

• Steven Richmond — Candidate for State Superintendent of Education in SC

  Steven Richmond, also known by his alias Baba Amin Ojuok, is a candidate for South Carolina State Superintendent of Education in the 2026 election. He is seeking the office as a member of the United Citizens party.

• Ellen E Weaver — Incumbent State Superintendent of Education in Columbia, SC

  Ellen Weaver is the incumbent South Carolina Superintendent of Education, a Republican politician elected in November 2022. Born in Greenville in 1979, she previously led the conservative Palmetto Promise Institute. Her tenure has focused on literacy initiatives, parental empowerment, and education freedom, including significant teacher pay raises and expanding school choice. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Bob Jones University, fulfilling a master's requirement during her initial campaign. Weaver, endorsed by prominent Republicans in 2022, announced her re-election bid for 2026, emphasizing her commitment to continuing "bold, conservative reforms" for South Carolina students.

• Sylvia A Wright — District Coordinator in SC

  Sylvia A. Wright is a Democratic candidate for South Carolina Superintendent of Education in 2026. With over 25 years as an educator, she has held roles including District Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist, and Social Studies Department Chair, and authored "How I Survived the First Five Years of Teaching." Wright is running to restore the promise of high-quality public education in South Carolina, which she believes is in crisis. Her platform focuses on tackling the literacy crisis by mandating phonics-first reading instruction in K-3 by 2027, deploying reading coaches, and creating a public Literacy Progress Dashboard. She advocates for all aspects of the education system and founded the SCforEd movement.