Evette, backed by Trump, and Wilson, a Trump supporter, head to S.C. governor runoff
President Trump, then former President Donald Trump, gestures to supporters at an election night watch party at the State Fairgrounds on February 24, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. Also pictured is Republican South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who is running for governor in 2026. Wi
President Trump, then former President Donald Trump, gestures to supporters at an election night watch party at the State Fairgrounds on February 24, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. Also pictured is Republican South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who is running for governor in 2026. Win McNamee/Getty Images North America hide caption
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Republicans Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who was backed by President Trump, and Attorney General Alan Wilson are headed into a gubernatorial primary runoff in two weeks after neither secured enough votes for a majority, according to a race call by The Associated Press.
In 2017, Gov. Henry McMaster plucked Evette out of relative obscurity to be his 2018 running mate, launching her political career. His network and endorsement, as well as Trump's, helped raise her name identification.
"Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" the president wrote on Truth Social on May 29.
In his endorsement, Trump also alluded to the idea that McMaster's son, Henry D. McMaster Jr., could be Evette's running mate. The mention sparked attacks from her rivals, who called it a backroom deal. She and McMaster Jr. deny she's tapped him so far.
Wilson was first elected state attorney general in 2010 and has been reelected three times. He also serves as a Colonel in the Judge Advocate General's Corps for the South Carolina Army National Guard, and is the son of 2nd District Congressman Joe Wilson.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson takes his seat during a rally with former President Donald Trump on September 25, 2023, in Summerville, South Carolina. Wilson is running for governor of South Carolina in 2026. Sean Rayford/Getty Images North America hide caption
Wilson has gained national notoriety through his office's work on the 2023 trial of Alex Murdaugh, though his double murder conviction was overturned by the state Supreme Court in May due to jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill. The case is set to be retried in the coming months.
