Nikki Haley
The Republican gubernatorial primary took place on June 8, 2010, and Haley captured 49% of the vote. A runoff election happened on June 22, because nobody won 50% of the vote. Haley won handily in the runoff vote. Haley was elected governor on November 2, 2010, over the Democratic candidate, Vincent Sheheen 51% to 47%. On August 12, 2013, Haley announced she would seek a second term during a rally August 26, 2013, at the BI-LO Center in downtown Greenville. Haley was re-elected on November 4, 2014, with a 55.9 percent to 41.3 percent win, almost tripling her previous margin of victory over Sheheen in 2010 gubernatorial elections.