President Donald Trump’s influence over Republican voters is facing another major test in South Carolina, where Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is trying to turn his last-minute endorsement into a path to the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
Evette is running in a crowded Republican primary to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster, a longtime Trump ally. Her opponents include South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman and businessman Rom Reddy.
Because the field is crowded, no candidate is expected to easily clear 50% of the vote. If no one wins a majority, the top two candidates will advance to a June 23 runoff.
Trump endorsed Evette late in the race, calling her an “America First Patriot” and a “WINNER.” He also held a tele-rally for her before primary day, giving her campaign a final push as voters prepared to cast ballots.
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The endorsement matters because South Carolina remains one of Trump’s strongest Republican states. Many candidates in the race had spent months highlighting their support for the president and his agenda, hoping to win his backing. When Trump finally chose Evette, it gave her a clear advantage with voters who use his endorsement as a shortcut for deciding crowded primaries.
But the race is also a test of whether Trump’s endorsement power still has limits.
Just days earlier, Trump-backed Rep. Randy Feenstra lost Iowa’s Republican gubernatorial primary to Zach Lahn, a businessman and farmer backed by parts of the MAHA movement and Turning Point USA. That loss broke Trump’s recent endorsement streak in high-profile Republican contests and raised questions about whether conservative voters are always willing to follow his lead.
South Carolina may provide the next answer.
Evette has leaned heavily into the endorsement, telling voters that Trump needs a governor who will help carry out an America First agenda. Her campaign has argued that she is the conservative partner Trump can trust in Columbia.
Mace has responded by arguing that the endorsement has not ended the race. She told Fox News that grassroots Republicans were upset by Trump’s decision and said Evette did not receive as large a polling boost as expected. Mace has also suggested that if the race goes to a runoff, the contest could become unpredictable.
The endorsement also brought complications. In his post backing Evette, Trump said he expected her to choose Henry McMaster Jr., the governor’s son, as her running mate for lieutenant governor. That comment triggered criticism inside South Carolina political circles, with some Republicans suggesting it looked like Washington was trying to force a ticket on the state.
Gov. McMaster denied any backroom deal or pressure campaign, and Evette said she would not name a running mate until after the primary. Henry McMaster Jr. later took himself out of consideration, saying he was humbled by the attention but that “now is simply not the right time” to be considered.
That episode may have slightly complicated what should have been a clean endorsement boost. South Carolina Republicans are strongly pro-Trump, but state political culture can also be sensitive to any perception that outside figures are trying to dictate local choices.
That is the tension at the heart of the primary. Trump remains the most powerful figure in the Republican Party, but South Carolina voters still have their own loyalties, preferences and local concerns.
For Evette, the endorsement could be enough to secure a place in the runoff — or even help her outperform expectations. For Mace, Wilson, Norman and Reddy, the goal is to prove that Trump’s blessing is powerful but not unbeatable.
Wilson enters the race with statewide name recognition from his years as attorney general. Mace brings national media attention and a combative political style. Norman has long-standing conservative credibility. Reddy has used personal wealth and outsider messaging to compete in the crowded field.
The Republican nominee will be heavily favored in November. South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998, and Republicans continue to dominate statewide races. AP reported that the GOP is trying to extend its winning streak while Trump’s endorsement remains a central force in the primary.
Still, the primary could shape the future of South Carolina Republican politics. If Evette wins or leads strongly, it will reinforce Trump’s ability to settle competitive races. If she underperforms, it will suggest that even in a deep-red state, late endorsements are not always enough.
The race also matters nationally because Republican primaries have become loyalty tests not only for candidates, but for voters and political movements inside the party. Trump-backed candidates have won several recent contests, including races where he helped defeat incumbents he opposed. But the Iowa result showed that other conservative networks can still challenge him.
South Carolina will now show whether that was an exception or part of a broader pattern.
For now, Evette is betting that Trump’s endorsement gives her the final lift she needs. Her rivals are betting that local voters will make their own decision — and that a runoff could reset the race.
Why It Matters
The South Carolina governor primary matters because it is another test of Trump’s control over the Republican Party. His endorsement remains extremely powerful, but the crowded field and recent Iowa setback raise questions about whether his backing can still decide every major GOP contest.
It also matters because the winner will likely become the favorite to be South Carolina’s next governor. The primary could shape the state’s leadership and the direction of its Republican politics for years.
What Comes Next
If no Republican candidate wins more than 50%, the top two finishers will head to a June 23 runoff. That second round could become a direct test of whether Trump can rally voters behind Evette once the field narrows.
If Evette wins outright or finishes first by a strong margin, Trump’s endorsement power will look reinforced. If she underperforms, Republicans may see it as another sign that local dynamics can still override national pressure.
🔥 The next Governor of South Carolina just dropped a personal shoutout to Next News Network!
Alan Wilson thanks Gary Franchi and asks all NNN supporters to get out the vote.
Election Day is tomorrow, let’s go!
Appreciate the love, Alan! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/l7uMBvsVC2
— Next News Network 🇺🇲 (@nextnews) June 8, 2026
