One week after President Donald Trump's endorsement winning streak in high-profile Republican primaries ended, his support for South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has helped her advance to a runoff election. Evette, endorsed by Trump a week and a half before the primary, will compete in a runoff election in two weeks. The other major candidates in the GOP field include South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman, and businessman Rom Reddy. Since no candidate secured more than 50% of the primary vote, the top two finishers will proceed to the June 23 runoff, with the winner expected to be favored in the general election in South Carolina.
Although Trump was not on the ballot, his influence within the GOP is being tested in South Carolina. His endorsement power has been evident in recent GOP primaries, where his candidates have ousted incumbents in states such as Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Texas. However, his endorsement of Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa did not lead to victory, as he was narrowly defeated by Zach Lahn, who was backed by the Make America Healthy Again movement and Turning Point USA.
In the South Carolina gubernatorial primary, candidates have been emphasizing their support for Trump in hopes of securing his endorsement. Trump endorsed Evette, calling her an "America First Patriot" and a "WINNER." Following the endorsement, Mace suggested that her push for the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein may have influenced Trump's decision to support Evette.
Trump also indicated that he expects Evette to choose Henry McMaster Jr., the governor's son, as her running mate. This comment generated speculation and pushback within South Carolina political circles. However, both McMaster and Evette denied any agreements regarding running mates prior to the primary. McMaster Jr. later stated that he would not pursue the position of lieutenant governor at this time.
The winner of the Republican gubernatorial nomination is anticipated to be the frontrunner in the general election in November. Other candidates for the Democratic nomination include State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, William Mullins McLeod Jr., and businessman Billy Webster.
