South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to the Republican runoff election for governor after the June 9 primary failed to produce a majority winner [1, 2, 3]. The runoff between Evette and Wilson is scheduled for June 23, 2026 [1, 4, 2, 3].
Evette, endorsed by former President Donald Trump in late May, said Trump gave her his "complete and total endorsement" because the state "needs a strong partner as Governor who will deliver on our conservative America First agenda." Trump called her an "America First Patriot" and a "WINNER," and his backing helped boost her campaign in a crowded primary [4, 2, 3]. Evette has built a $3.5 million fundraising war chest, including a $1 million personal contribution, and has a background as an entrepreneur who founded a billion-dollar HR and accounting software company [1]. She was chosen as Governor Henry McMaster's running mate in 2018 [1].
Wilson, South Carolina's attorney general since 2011, also serves as a reserve colonel in the National Guard JAG Corps [1]. He faced several challengers in the primary, including U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, as well as multimillionaire businessman Rom Reddy [4, 3]. Mace finished fifth and blamed her loss on her support for releasing Jeffrey Epstein files, stating, "I chose to expose the names hidden in the sexual harassment slush fund... apparently, I chose wrong if the goal was winning an election" [1].
South Carolina changed its election system in 2012 so governor and lieutenant governor run as a ticket in the general election [1]. The winner of the June 23 GOP runoff is expected to be the clear front-runner in the general election due to the state's conservative tilt [1, 2, 3].
The runoff will determine who faces the Democrat candidate this fall and will likely decide the next governor of South Carolina due to the Republican party's dominance in the state.
