South Carolina’s Republican primary for governor ended without a clear majority winner, pushing the race to a runoff between Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Notably, Rep. Nancy Mace, a key candidate in the race, failed to advance after finishing behind the top two contenders.
What Happened
In the June 9 GOP primary for South Carolina governor, none of the six candidates secured more than 50% of the vote, triggering a runoff scheduled for June 23. Pamela Evette, currently the state’s lieutenant governor and endorsed by former President Donald Trump, and Alan Wilson, the state attorney general with over 15 years in office, emerged as the leading candidates. Rep. Nancy Mace, despite her prominence and past congressional victories, conceded defeat and threw her support behind Wilson.
Key Facts
- Six candidates competed in the Republican primary, including Evette, Wilson, Mace, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, and former business executive Rom Reddy.
- None achieved the required majority to win outright, necessitating a runoff between Evette and Wilson.
- Evette received President Trump’s endorsement; Mace had previously clashed with Trump but maintained some warmer interactions following the 2022 House election.
- Mace condemned Trump’s role in the January 6 Capitol riot and opposed him politically at times, contributing to some political tension.
- Mace publicly cited her stance against the Jeffrey Epstein cover-up as a principled choice that may have affected her electoral outcome.
- South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, also endorsed Evette ahead of the primary.
- South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor since 2002, and President Trump won the state decisively in 2024.
Why It Matters
The runoff will decide the Republican nominee for the upcoming South Carolina governor’s race, a critical election in a predominantly Republican state. With the GOP’s strong electoral advantage statewide, the winner of the runoff is heavily favored to succeed the term-limited current governor. The dynamics also reflect internal party divisions, particularly around Trump’s influence and Mace’s positioning against him.
Background
South Carolina’s gubernatorial contest has attracted multiple candidates due to the incumbent governor, Henry McMaster, reaching his term limit. Pamela Evette, as lieutenant governor and Trump’s endorsed candidate, entered the primary as a strong contender. Alan Wilson has served as attorney general for more than 15 years, building significant statewide recognition. Nancy Mace, a sitting U.S. representative, had a more contentious relationship with Trump, opposing his January 6 actions and drawing an alternate endorsement in congressional races.
Analysis
Mace’s failure to advance in the primary illustrates the difficulty of challenging candidates with Trump’s backing in Republican primaries, especially in strongly pro-Trump states like South Carolina. Her public denunciations of Trump and principled stands on issues like the Epstein files may have mobilized some support but ultimately were insufficient to overcome the influence of elite GOP endorsements. The runoff will test whether Evette’s Trump and McMaster endorsements can withstand Wilson’s long-standing political tenure.
Who Is Affected
South Carolina Republican voters will determine their nominee in the forthcoming runoff. The gubernatorial election outcome is significant for state policy and political control, impacting South Carolina’s political landscape for years. The broader GOP establishment and factions aligned either with or against Trump’s influence are also closely watching the race.
Reactions / Official Statements
Following her loss, Mace conceded and endorsed Wilson, stating on social media that her stance against the Epstein cover-up was a principled decision potentially at odds with political success. Early voting saw President Trump describe Evette as a “good friend, fighter, and WINNER,” reinforcing his support. Governor McMaster also backed Evette, signaling establishment alignment behind her candidacy.
What Remains Unclear
This information was not confirmed in the reviewed sources: precise vote tallies, how the runoff electorate might differ from the primary, and the detailed campaign strategies moving forward.
What Comes Next
The South Carolina GOP runoff between Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson will take place on June 23, deciding the Republican nominee. The victor will appear on the November ballot and is widely expected to win in the general election, based on South Carolina’s recent voting history.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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