One week after Donald Trump's endorsement streak in Republican primaries ended, his influence is being tested again in South Carolina. Trump's preferred candidate for the GOP gubernatorial primary, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, has secured one of the two spots in the race for the nomination, alongside South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. They will compete in a Republican runoff election scheduled for June 23, as no candidate received over 50% of the primary vote.
Trump's endorsement power has been evident in recent GOP primaries, where his candidates have successfully ousted incumbents in several states. However, his recent endorsement of Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa did not lead to victory for Feenstra, who lost to Zach Lahn, a candidate backed by the Make America Healthy Again movement and Turning Point USA.
In South Carolina, candidates have been emphasizing their support for Trump in hopes of securing his endorsement. After remaining neutral for some time, Trump endorsed Evette, calling her an "America First Patriot". This endorsement has sparked discussions about potential political maneuvers, including speculation regarding Evette's choice for a running mate.
The winner of the Republican gubernatorial nomination is expected to be the frontrunner in the general election in November. Other candidates for the Democratic nomination include State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, William Mullins McLeod Jr., and businessman Billy Webster.