Wilson Leads Khalifa in SC 2nd District Race
The race remains uncalled as canvassing continues, with unofficial results placing the margin just outside the mandatory recount threshold.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Republican incumbent Joe Wilson leads Democratic challenger Zyon Khalifa in South Carolina's 2nd congressional district, with Wilson at 49.84% and Khalifa at 48.81% as of 10:22 a.m. Wednesday. The race has not been called, and Khalifa's team has indicated he has not conceded.
Why it matters
The narrow margin sits just outside the 1% threshold that would trigger a mandatory recount under State Election Commission rules, leaving the outcome dependent on official certification. Voters across the state will see the final result settled only after county and state canvassing is complete.
Unofficial returns as of 10:22 a.m. Wednesday show Wilson at 49.84% and Khalifa at 48.81%, a gap just above the 1% margin that would require a recount. Official certified results, which will determine whether a recount is ordered, have not yet been finalized.
The players
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson is the Republican incumbent representing South Carolina's 2nd congressional district and is seeking reelection in the contested race.
Zyon Khalifa
Zyon Khalifa is the Democratic challenger in South Carolina's 2nd congressional district whose campaign has not conceded the race.
South Carolina Election Commission
The South Carolina Election Commission oversees state election administration and will certify state-level results, including U.S. House districts, and order any recounts.
The details
County boards of voter registration and elections will certify results on Friday, November 11, and the State Election Commission will certify state-level results, including U.S. House districts, on Tuesday of next week. Any necessary recounts will be ordered based on certified, official results at that meeting.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: The race remains uncalled as canvassing continues.
November 11, 2026: County boards certify election results.
November 17, 2026: State Election Commission certifies U.S. House results and orders any recounts.
Political Context
South Carolina's mandatory recount rule sets a 1% margin trigger for statewide and district races, and the current gap of roughly 1.03 points sits just beyond it. Whether certified totals narrow the margin enough to force a recount will test how closely the state's canvassing process tracks unofficial returns.
Voters in South Carolina's 2nd district will not know the official outcome until county and state certification is complete. If the margin remains within the 1% threshold, a recount will be ordered and the final result could take additional time to settle.
The takeaway
Unofficial returns can shift during canvassing, so the final result in close races depends on certified totals rather than early counts. Readers following the 2nd district should watch the November 11 county certifications and the November 17 state meeting.
What happens next
County boards of voter registration and elections certify results on Friday, November 11, and the State Election Commission certifies U.S. House results on Tuesday, November 17, when any recounts would be ordered.
Further reading
For context on how the state tallies and certifies these contests, see Elections coverage across South Carolina.
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