South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson are moving to a Republican primary runoff in the state’s gubernatorial race, according to projections by NBC News. The runoff is scheduled for June 23, following a primary where no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote.
The eventual Republican nominee will likely have a strong chance to succeed Governor Henry McMaster, who is term-limited, in this staunchly Republican state come fall. Throughout the campaign, candidates focused heavily on gaining an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Pamela Evette obtained Trump’s endorsement late in the campaign, which she emphasized frequently. On the eve of the primary, her campaign publicized Trump’s strong endorsement, supported further by a tele-rally Trump held for her and Senator Lindsey Graham, who is up for re-election.
After reaching the runoff, Evette highlighted Trump’s support in her statement on social media, expressing gratitude for finishing in first place. She acknowledged Trump’s endorsement and Governor McMaster’s support as instrumental to her success.
Alan Wilson, who has been the state’s Attorney General for over 15 years, has endorsements from local law enforcement and credits his service with the South Carolina National Guard in his appeal. He stated that South Carolinian families desire a governor who prioritizes family, community safety, and taxpayer interests.
The primary featured state figures like Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, and businessman Rom Reddy. Early in the campaign, Mace had a good relationship with Trump but became critical after the January 6 Capitol attack. She later supported Trump again for his 2024 presidential bid but subsequently fell short of expectations in the primary.
Mace, after placing behind, chose to support Wilson, despite earlier criticisms. She expressed both her commitment to principle and her acceptance of the election result, focusing on exposing corruption related to Jeffrey Epstein and other issues.
Meanwhile, Ralph Norman faced slim chances with Trump, having supported Nikki Haley. Reddy, an outsider in the race, campaigned without taking donations and opposed AI-driven data centers, arguing against their construction during a debate.
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