Trump-Backed Candidate Advances In South Carolina Governor Primary

South Carolina Republicans headed to the polls Tuesday to choose their party’s nominee to lead the fastest-growing state in the nation.

With 41% of the vote counted, Trump-endorsed candidate Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette leads the crowded field with 29% of the vote, followed by Attorney General Alan Wilson’s 26% vote share. With no candidates passing the 50% threshold, Evette and Wilson are projected to face off again in a June 23 runoff. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 8:26 p.m. ET. 

Decision Desk HQ projects Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson advance in SC Governor Republican Primary#DecisionMade: 8:26 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/BoDlI7JwSb

— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) June 10, 2026

Seven Republicans competed to replace Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, including Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, State Senator Josh Kimbrell, and businessman Rom Reddy. 

Polling showed a tight race with a large share of undecided voters. Kimbrell, who consistently polled in the single digits, dropped out of the race this week

The results offer the latest sign of President Trump’s endorsement power, who recently intervened in the wide-open race.  

“Highly Respected and very popular Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Pam Evette, is an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning. She never wavered, never let me down, and was the only South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate to Endorse me as soon as I launched my 2024 Presidential Campaign,” Trump said in a May 29 Truth Social Post. 

“Pam Evette is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina. Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

Trump’s endorsement appeared to blindside other Republicans in the race, including Congresswoman Mace, who chalked up the decision as political retaliation. 

“I knew it was on the line when I voted to release the Epstein files, and I’m a survivor, but if the price to pay for an endorsement was to not release those files, I would never, I would never pay it,” Mace told Fox. “So I knew it was on the line, and I disagree with this endorsement, and I’m going to vote for myself.” 

Rep. Nancy Mace tells Fox News Digital that she believes President Trump refused to endorse her in South Carolina’s gubernatorial race because of her vote in Congress to push for the release of the Epstein files.

“If the price to pay for an endorsement was to not release those… pic.twitter.com/pVQgg1vFfA

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 7, 2026

GOP frontrunner Evette pushed back on that characterization. 

“Congresswoman Mace has crossed the President many times we have seen since her time in DC,” Evette said in an interview. “She probably has a list of reasons why she was not on President Trump’s list of people he felt earned and deserved his endorsement.”

NEW: @PamelaEvette responds to @NancyMace‘s claim that her push to release the Epstein files cost her Trump’s endorsement.

“Mace has crossed the President many times… She probably has a list of reasons why she was not on President Trump’s list.” https://t.co/vR9is8BHkI pic.twitter.com/v8XB4MAln1

— Ryan Schmelz (@RyanSchmelzFOX) June 7, 2026

The next governor faces myriad challenges, including outdated infrastructure, a strained healthcare system, and lagging educational outcomes. 

Still, people across the country continue to pack up their lives and move to the Palmetto State in record numbers. Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, South Carolina’s population grew by 1.5 percent — faster than any other state—according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Overall, South Carolina’s population continues to grow rapidly, largely as a result of migration from other states—though growth has slowed since its pandemic-era peak, when the expansion of remote work along with elevated labor market turnover led to unusually high rates of relocation across the country,” South Carolina’s Department of Employment said in a report.

The state also held Senate and congressional primaries. Voters renominated Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally seeking his fifth term, who has faced increasing criticism over his interventionist foreign policy views.

Decision Desk HQ projects Lindsey Graham wins the SC US Senate Republican Primary#DecisionMade: 8:10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/9ct87yBqvz

— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) June 10, 2026

On Monday night. Trump made an 11th-hour push for Graham and Evette. 

“I will be doing a TeleRally LIVE at 5:30 P.M. EST for Senator Lindsey Graham and South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate Pamela Evette — Both have my Complete and Total Endorsement,” he said on Truth Social. They will never let you down! Vote for Lindsey and Pam. They LOVE the great people of South Carolina, and so do I!!!

Going into November, the Cook Political Report ranks both the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races as solid Republican.