Joe Cunningham files preliminary paperwork for SC governorâs race WIS has reached out to Cunningham for a statement. He has not officially announced his candidacy at this point. (Source: Live 5) By WIS News 10 Staff and Patrick Phillips | April 21, 2021 at 6:34 PM EDT - Updated April 21 at 7:28 PM COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/WCSC) - Former U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham has filed the first necessary paperwork to run for the governor of South Carolina. The Democrat lost his re-election bid in 2020 for South Carolinaâs first Congressional District. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace won that race. Records show Cunningham filed preliminary paperwork with the S.C. Ethics Commission that is required to raise money as a gubernatorial candidate.