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Trump Endorses Both Evette, Wilson in SC Runoff

6/20/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump issued a dual endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson for South Carolina’s June 23 runoff.
Evette, who had Trump’s sole endorsement before the June 9 primary, won that contest with under 30% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Wilson.
After Trump’s post, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott endorsed Wilson while observers say the dual endorsement is a hedge after recent Iowa and Georgia primary defeats.

History

Historical Context

Beginning with his 2016 shortlist of Jeff Sessions as a possible running mate, Donald Trump has repeatedly used personal endorsements to shape Republican primaries. He backed Alabama’s Luther Strange in the 2017 Senate race and, in 2024, endorsed South Carolina’s Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, illustrating a decade-long pattern of presidential influence on intra-party contests.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump issued a dual endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson for South Carolina’s June 23 runoff.
Evette, who had Trump’s sole endorsement before the June 9 primary, won that contest with under 30% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Wilson.
After Trump’s post, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott endorsed Wilson while observers say the dual endorsement is a hedge after recent Iowa and Georgia primary defeats.

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