Full Breakdown
Trump-Backed Evette and Attorney General Wilson Advance to Runoff in South Carolina Gubernatorial Primary
6/10/2026, 8:00:49 AM
Core Primary Results
On June 9, 2026, South Carolina voters selected Republican nominees for governor. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette led with 136,150 votes (?29 % of the total), while Attorney General Alan Wilson followed with 123,391 votes (?26 %). No candidate reached the 50 % threshold required to avoid a runoff, so a second round is scheduled for June 23 between Evette and Wilson.
Background: Term Limits, Trump’s Endorsement, and Redistricting Fight
Governor Henry McMaster is term-limited after ten years, making the race the first open-governor contest since 2010. President Donald Trump issued a “complete and total endorsement” of Evette in late May, echoing his earlier support for McMaster. A separate Trump-backed proposal to redraw congressional districts and eliminate the state’s sole Democratic seat (the 6th District) was rejected by the Republican-controlled Senate weeks before the primary, sparking debate over the governor’s role in redistricting.
Key Candidates and Their Positions
- Pamela Evette – Business-focused lieutenant governor; campaign highlighted small-business support, immigration enforcement, tax reform, and judicial changes.
- Alan Wilson – Long-time attorney general; emphasized affordability, public-safety funding, school choice, and a “law-and-order” platform.
- Nancy Mace (R) – U.S. Representative; previously aligned with Trump but lost his endorsement after supporting the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
- Ralph Norman (R) – U.S. Representative; Freedom Caucus member, backed by Vote Pro-Life SC.
- Rom Reddy (R) – Businessman and political outsider; self-funded campaign, opposed AI data-center construction.
Timeline of the Race
- May 29 – Trump posts endorsement of Evette on Truth Social.
- June 9 – Primary voting (7 a.m.–7 p.m.); early voting record set at 151,670 ballots (Fox Carolina) and ?279,000 ballots (AP).
- June 23 – Runoff between Evette and Wilson.
- Nov 3 – General election; winner likely to become governor.
- 2028 – South Carolina will hold the first-in-the-South presidential primary, making the gubernatorial outcome strategically significant.
Vote Totals and Early-Voting Data
South Carolina has ?3.4 million registered voters. Early-voting turnout reached a record 151,670 ballots in the first week (Fox Carolina) and ?279,000 ballots overall (AP). In 2022, about 29 % of Democratic primary votes and 17 % of Republican primary votes were cast early, indicating a shift toward pre-election participation.
Why It Matters
The runoff will likely determine the party’s nominee in a state that has voted Republican in three recent presidential elections with >=55 % of the vote. The contest also serves as a barometer for Trump’s sway over South Carolina Republicans and may shape the state’s stance on the contested congressional-map overhaul.
Official Statements & Responses
- Evette thanked Trump and McMaster, calling the endorsement “rocket fuel” that propelled her to first place.
- Wilson said families want a governor who will lower costs, keep communities safe, and prioritize taxpayers.
- Mace conceded, noting she was “at peace” and attributing her loss to her stance on the Epstein files.
- Trump described Evette as a “good friend, fighter, and winner.”
Criticism & Opposition
Voters Rhonda Yecks and Tom McMeekin reported that Trump’s endorsement did not affect their choices. Opponents of the redistricting plan, such as voter Philip Cantelm, praised the Senate’s rejection of the proposal, while supporters like Kent Saad argued the map should be revisited.
On-the-Ground Voter Comments
- “Trump’s endorsement didn’t influence me one way or the other.” — Rhonda Yecks, voter.
- “I’m glad they’re finally standing up to him (Trump).” — Philip Cantelm, voter.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Early-voting figures differ between sources (151,670 vs ?279,000). Early-voting percentages also vary (29 % Democratic vs 17 % Republican). The precise timing of Trump’s endorsement—whether “late” or “early” in the campaign—remains inconsistently reported. County-level vote breakdowns have not been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” — Donald Trump, President (Truth Social, May 29).
- “I am honored and humbled by our first-place finish. This victory would not have been possible without President Donald J. Trump's complete and total endorsement and the strong support of Governor Henry McMaster,” — Pamela Evette, Lt. Gov. (post-primary statement).
- “Tonight, South Carolina families sent a clear message: they want a Governor who will fight for their families, lower costs, keep communities safe, and put taxpayers first.” — Alan Wilson, Attorney General.
- “I voted to release the Epstein files and lost some support for that. As a survivor, I chose to stand on principle and stand against the Epstein cover-up. And apparently, I chose wrong if the goal was winning an election.” — Nancy Mace, U.S. Rep.
- “Trump’s endorsement didn’t influence me one way or the other,” — Rhonda Yecks, voter.
- “I'm glad they’re finally standing up to him (Trump),” — Philip Cantelm, voter.
What’s Next
The June 23 runoff will decide the Republican nominee, who is expected to dominate the November general election in this reliably red state. The winner will shape South Carolina’s role in the 2028 presidential primary and may influence ongoing debates over congressional redistricting and state-level policy priorities.
