Full Breakdown
South Carolina Gubernatorial Primary: Trump Endorsement, Epstein Files Fallout, and a Tight Race
6/7/2026, 10:01:06 PM
Primary Stakes and the Shift in Trump’s Endorsement
The June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina governor features incumbent lieutenant governor Pamela Evette against a crowded field that includes Rep. Nancy Mace, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Rep. Ralph Norman, entrepreneur Rom Reddy, and others. Former President Donald Trump announced a “complete and total” endorsement of Evette on May 29, praising her friendship with the governor and hinting that Henry McMaster Jr. might serve as her lieutenant-governor. The endorsement arrived two weeks before early voting began and has been credited with expanding Evette’s lead in multiple polls.
Background: Mace’s Prior Alliance with Trump and the Epstein Files Vote
Mace, a three-term House Republican, previously received Trump’s backing for her 2022 congressional campaign and was lauded as a “strong conservative voice.” In September 2025 she joined a bipartisan effort to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signing a discharge petition that led to a vote on releasing classified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Mace later told Politico that the vote was “the sole reason I didn’t get the endorsement,” linking the loss of Trump’s support directly to her stance on the files.
Key Candidates and Their Positions
- Pamela Evette – Lieutenant governor; emphasizes alignment with Trump’s agenda and promises continuity with Gov. Henry McMaster’s administration.
- Nancy Mace – Calls herself a “MAGA candidate” who supports all MAGA policies while branding herself an “independent conservative.” She stresses survivor advocacy and child-trafficking investigations.
- Alan Wilson – Attorney general; selected state Sen. Mike Reichenbach as a running mate.
- Rom Reddy – Outsider entrepreneur; leads in total advertising spend, including roughly $6 million in combined positive and negative ads.
- Ralph Norman – U.S. Rep.; paired with former state Rep. Adam Morgan for a lieutenant-governor slot.
Timeline of Critical Developments
- Sept 2025 – Mace signs discharge petition on Epstein files.
- Nov 2025 – Airport incident at Charleston International Airport; Mace’s profanity-laden tirade becomes public.
- May 29 2026 – Trump posts Truth Social endorsement of Evette, mentions McMaster Jr. as potential lieutenant governor.
- June 1 2026 – Polls show Evette’s support rising from 19.9 % to 26.3 % after endorsement.
- June 9 2026 – Primary election; if no candidate exceeds 50 %, top two advance to runoff on June 23.
Polling, Funding, and Advertising Data
The Trafalgar Group poll (May 29-31) placed Evette at 26.3 %, Reddy at 17.2 %, Wilson at 16.9 %, Norman at 16 %, and Mace at 14.6 %. A later poll (June 2-4) showed Evette at 23.5 % and Mace at 12.7 %, indicating a modest decline. Mace’s campaign has spent $50,000 on digital ads and $0 on television, while negative ads targeting her total nearly $2 million. Protect Freedom PAC, aligned with Sen. Rand Paul, has spent $1.4 million on positive ads for Mace. Rom Reddy’s campaign has spent roughly $6 million overall.
Why It Matters: GOP Unity, Trump’s Influence, and Policy Implications
The race illustrates the continuing weight of a Trump endorsement in a deep-red state, yet also highlights limits when the base is divided. Mace’s willingness to prioritize transparency on the Epstein files underscores intra-party tensions over accountability versus loyalty. The outcome will affect the GOP’s strategic positioning ahead of the 2028 presidential cycle and may shape South Carolina’s policy direction on issues ranging from redistricting to child-trafficking legislation.
Official Statements & Responses
- The White House declined comment, directing reporters to Trump’s Truth Social post.
- Gov. Henry McMaster’s office clarified that no discussion of a special session occurred with Trump regarding redistricting.
- Evette thanked supporters, stating, “I couldn’t be more honored to have the president’s endorsement.”
- Mace’s campaign spokesperson called the post-endorsement poll a “suppression poll” and asserted that grassroots support for Evette was “dropping like a hot potato.”
- Henry McMaster Jr. announced he would not seek the lieutenant-governor slot, calling the attention “incredibly humbling” but “not the right time.”
Criticism and Opposition
Sen. Tim Scott and Sen. Lindsey Graham publicly rebuked Mace’s profanity-laden airport tirade. Operative Terry Sullivan argued the airport incident hurt Mace more than the Epstein vote. Critics, including local sheriff Hobart Lewis, alleged a “political deal” linking Evette’s endorsement to a potential McMaster Jr. running-mate, a claim the governor’s office denied. Rom Reddy warned that selecting McMaster Jr. could create a “26-year dynasty” in South Carolina.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polls differ on the magnitude of Evette’s post-endorsement surge (26.3 % vs. 23.5 %). Mace’s own estimate of a five-point endorsement bump contrasts with analysts who suggest a larger effect. The precise impact of the airport controversy on voter preferences remains unquantified. No definitive data exist on how the Epstein-files stance reshaped the Republican electorate beyond anecdotal statements.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That’s the sole reason I didn’t get the endorsement, because I voted to release the Epstein files, and I’m okay with that,” — Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative
- “I’m not going down without a fight.” — Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative
- “Pam Evette is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina,” — Donald Trump, former President
- “I think the airport thing hurt her more than the [Epstein] thing,” — Terry Sullivan, South Carolina Republican operative
- “South Carolinians don't want a political dynasty - and apparently that message got through,” — Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative
- “If this is the price of an endorsement, I will never pay it,” — Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative
What’s Next: Runoff and Potential Outcomes
If no candidate clears the 50 % threshold on June 9, the top two will face off on June 23. Analysts note that a runoff could neutralize Trump’s endorsement advantage, especially if anti-dynasty sentiment persists. Mace has signaled she will assess the primary results before deciding on any future office. The final two-candidate matchup will likely determine whether South Carolina’s GOP continues to align closely with Trump or pivots toward a more independent conservative platform.
