South Carolina Republican Governor Runoff: Evette and Wilson Compete for Nomination After Trump Endorses Both

South Carolina voters returned to the polls on Tuesday for a Republican gubernatorial runoff election between two of the state's top officials: two-term Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson. Neither candidate secured a majority in the June 9 primary, with Evette receiving 28.9% of the vote and Wilson garnering 26.1%, forcing a head-to-head runoff in what has become an increasingly contentious race for the party's nomination.

President Donald Trump initially endorsed Evette in the primary but surprised both candidates and voters by announcing on Friday that he was endorsing both contenders in the runoff. Trump stated, "I can't hurt one of them by only endorsing the other" in a social media post. This dual endorsement created an unusual dynamic for voters seeking presidential guidance. Evette, who had heavily featured Trump's backing throughout her campaign, immediately emphasized the endorsement in her materials. Wilson, recognizing an opportunity, quickly publicized Trump's support as well and attracted endorsements from Senator Tim Scott, U.S. Representatives Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, and Senator Ted Cruz.

The race has been marked by intense campaigning over more than a year, with voters inundated with television advertising, mailers, and billboards. The two candidates faced off in a single debate at Coastal Carolina University just a week before the runoff, which devolved into acrimony during its opening half-hour. The moderators did not intervene as audience members provided "thunderous jeers and hoots," with some leaving their seats as the back-and-forth intensified. Wilson accused Evette of skipping previous debates and lying about legislation, while Evette attacked Wilson as a "career politician" and reminded voters of Trump's initial endorsement of her.

Geographic support patterns emerged from the primary results, with Evette performing strongly in the Pee Dee region to the northeast and gaining the most votes in the Upcountry region containing populous counties like Greenville and Spartanburg. Wilson's strongest support came from the central core of the state, including majority-Black counties in Richland County and surrounding areas. The Upcountry region represented a key battleground for the runoff, with Evette and third-place finisher Ralph Norman separated by less than 2 percentage points.

The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democrat Jermaine Johnson, who won his party's nomination outright in the primary, in the general election. The winner will succeed term-limited Republican Governor Henry McMaster, who endorsed Evette. Democrats have not won the South Carolina governorship since 1998. The eventual victor will play a significant role in the early stages of the 2028 presidential race, as South Carolina is expected to again host critical first-in-the-South presidential primaries.