Full Breakdown
Alan Wilson Secures GOP Nomination in South Carolina Governor Runoff
6/24/2026, 6:14:17 AM
The Runoff Outcome
Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican nomination for South Carolina governor on June 23, defeating Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. The Associated Press called the race at 7:30 p.m. after Wilson led with roughly two-thirds of the vote. Reported margins vary: 65.8 % vs 34.2 % (Washington Examiner), 65 % vs 35 % (FITSNews), and a raw tally of 45,692 votes for Wilson to 25,235 for Evette (Greenville Online) when 7.8 % of precincts were still reporting.
Background and Political Context
The contest followed the June 9 primary in which no candidate reached the 50 % threshold, prompting a runoff between the top two finishers. Governor Henry McMaster was term-limited, leaving the open seat. President Donald Trump endorsed Evette before the primary, then issued a rare dual endorsement of both candidates on June 19, stating he “couldn’t hurt one of them by only endorsing the other.”
Key Candidates and Endorsers
- Alan Wilson – South Carolina attorney general since 2010, colonel in the State National Guard, son of U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson. Endorsed by Rep. Ralph Norman, Rep. Nancy Mace, Sen. Tim Scott, and later by Sen. Ted Cruz.
- Pamela Evette – Lieutenant governor since 2019, founder of a payroll-services firm, initially backed by President Trump and Gov. McMaster.
Timeline of Major Events
- May 29 2026: Trump endorses Evette.
- June 9: Primary results – Evette 28.9 %, Wilson 26.1 %.
- June 19: Trump posts dual endorsement.
- June 23: Runoff held; AP calls Wilson winner.
- Early voting (May 26-27) saw 72,500 early ballots for the runoff, compared with 319,000 early ballots in the June 9 primary.
Data and Vote Statistics
- Reported turnout: ? 346,700 votes statewide in the runoff.
- Greenville County: 33,800 votes cast; early voting ? 8,300.
- Endorsement counts: Wilson secured support from 50 state lawmakers (19 senators, 31 House members); Evette from 30 lawmakers.
- Early-voting participation: ? 21 % of registered voters (? 3.4 million) cast an early ballot.
Official Statements & Responses
- Trump’s Truth Social post: “I can’t hurt one of them by only endorsing the other… I am going to endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!”
- Sen. Tim Scott said he was “proud to endorse Alan for Governor because he will lead with humility, courage, and an optimistic vision for our state.”
- Wilson’s acceptance remarks emphasized party unity: “We need to unify. We can’t focus on what divides us, we have to focus on what unites us.”
- Evette, after the loss, told supporters she “called Alan Wilson to congratulate him on his win and to tell him that he has my support as the party’s nominee.”
Criticism & Opposition
Political scientists and local commentators described Trump’s dual endorsement as a “kiss of death” for Evette, arguing it undermined her Trump-centric brand. Rep. Nancy Mace reacted on social media with “LMAO,” signaling intra-party frustration. Critics of Wilson highlighted his 2023 salary increase as attorney general and labeled him a “career politician.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Voter George Brock (Greenville County) observed the turnout at Springfield Baptist Church was modest, noting “Evette made it a priority that she’s following in McMaster’s footsteps.” Early-voting numbers and precinct-level reports indicated lower participation than the June 9 primary.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Wilson’s exact share of the runoff vote (65 % vs 65.8 %). Raw vote totals are only available from one outlet; the final certified results remain pending. No statewide exit polling is yet available to gauge voter motivations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I can't hurt one of them by only endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson!” — Donald Trump, former President
- “I’m proud to endorse Alan for Governor because he will lead with humility, courage, and an optimistic vision for our state,” — Tim Scott, U.S. Senator
- “We need to unify. We can’t focus on what divides us. We have to focus on what unites us.” — Alan Wilson, Attorney General of South Carolina
- “I called Alan Wilson to congratulate him on his win and to tell him that he has my support as our party’s nominee,” — Pamela Evette, Lieutenant Governor
- “LMAO,” — Nancy Mace, U.S. Representative (social-media comment)
- “Trump’s dual endorsement “was a kiss of death,” he told MS NOW.” — Dubose Kapeluck, political-science professor, The Citadel
Why It Matters
South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998; the GOP nominee is therefore likely to become governor. The race also tests the influence of Trump’s endorsements after recent mixed outcomes in Iowa and Georgia. The outcome will shape the state’s policy agenda on affordability, infrastructure, and law-and-order, and may affect the state’s role in the 2028 presidential primary calendar.
What’s Next
Wilson must secure certification of the runoff results and will face Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson in the November 3 general election. He has named State Sen. Mike Reichenbach as his lieutenant-governor pick, and both campaigns are now pivoting to statewide general-election strategies.
