Lexington, S.C. – On the morning of November 11, 2026, longtime Republican congressman Joe Wilson was officially declared the winner of South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District after a county‑level recount verified his narrow margin of victory. Wilson received 147,785 votes (49.8% of the 296,737 ballots cast) while Democrat challenger Zyon Khalifa earned 144,945 votes (48.85%). The recount, which examined every ballot from the November 7 election, resulted in a net loss of six votes for Wilson and a net gain of eighty votes for Khalifa, leaving Wilson ahead by just seventy‑four ballots.
Recount Details Confirmed
The recount showed Wilson losing six votes in Aiken County and five in Lexington County, but gaining one vote in Orangeburg County and four in Richland County. Khalifa lost ten votes in Aiken and three in Lexington, did not change in Orangeburg, and added ninety‑three votes in Richland. Even with these adjustments, Khalifa fell short of the roughly 3,000‑vote swing needed to overturn Wilson’s lead.
Certification and Delegation Impact
The South Carolina State Election Commission is scheduled to certify the results at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday. Once certified, the state’s House delegation will consist of five Republicans and two Democrats, while the Senate will include the newly elected Democrat Annie Andrews – the first Democratic senator from the Palmetto State since 1998.
Trump Redistricting Bid Highlighted
The article notes that had the GOP adopted former President Donald Trump’s proposed redistricting plan, Wilson’s seat could have been at risk. However, five South Carolina Republican senators – Sean Bennett, Chip Campsen, Tom Davis, Greg Hembree and Shane Massey – opposed the White House’s pressure and defended the existing district lines. Their stand earned gratitude from state party leaders for preserving the current Republican advantage.
Future Outlook
At 79, Wilson remains a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and an assistant whip. His son, Governor‑elect Alan Wilson, will assume the state’s top executive office in January, underscoring the family’s continued public service. Khalifa, a 25‑year‑old first‑time candidate who ran a low‑budget campaign, is expected to seek the seat again in 2028, suggesting a competitive race ahead.
Other Local Results
The recount week also confirmed the defeat of House Majority Leader Micah Caskey by Democrat Joe Madge in Lexington County, and the narrow victory of Upstate Republican David Vaughn over Democrat John MacCarthy. These outcomes reinforce the increasingly contested nature of South Carolina’s congressional races.
For readers interested in the detailed vote totals, the full results are available through the South Carolina State Election Commission’s website.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
