Trump Endorses Both Candidates in South Carolina GOP Gubernatorial Runoff
6 verified4 unconfirmed
President Donald Trump has endorsed both remaining candidates in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial runoff, saying he could not choose between them. The June 23 runoff features Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, who finished first and second in the June 9 primary after no candidate won a majority. Trump had endorsed Evette in late May, less than two weeks before the primary. The dual endorsement follows recent primary losses for Trump-backed candidates in Iowa and Georgia. Evette and Wilson have exchanged personal attacks in debates, with Wilson highlighting his tenure as attorney general and Evette presenting herself as an outsider. The runoff winner will be heavily favored in the general election in the solidly Republican state.
What’s verified
Trump endorsed both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial runoff.
He wrote on Truth Social that he could not "hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other."
The runoff is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23.
Evette finished first in the June 9 primary with less than 30% of the vote; Wilson finished second, forcing a runoff.
Trump had endorsed Evette in late May, less than two weeks before the primary.
This is not Trump's first dual endorsement; he previously endorsed "ERIC" in Missouri's 2022 GOP Senate primary.
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that Sen. Tim Scott made calls on behalf of Wilson and encouraged Trump's endorsement, while another reported that Scott publicly endorsed Wilson after Trump's announcement.
One source noted that the runoff is the latest test of Trump's endorsement power and detailed other primary results in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia.
One source reported that Rep. Randy Feenstra lost the Iowa gubernatorial primary to Zach Lahn after receiving Trump's endorsement.
One source mentioned that a Democrat has not won a gubernatorial election in South Carolina in 28 years.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette
Attorney General Alan Wilson
Gov. Henry McMaster (term-limited)
Sen. Tim Scott
Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman
Rep. Randy Feenstra
Zach Lahn
Rick Jackson
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
Sources: foxnews.com, NBC News
