One week after Donald Trump's endorsement streak in Republican primaries ended, his influence is being tested again in South Carolina. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Trump's preferred candidate, and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson have both advanced to the Republican runoff election scheduled for June 23, 2026, to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster. Since no candidate received over 50% of the primary vote, the top two finishers will compete in the runoff.
Trump's endorsement power has been evident in recent GOP primaries, where his candidates have won against incumbents in states like Indiana and Texas. However, his recent endorsement of Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa did not lead to victory for Feenstra, who lost to Zach Lahn, a businessman supported by the Make America Healthy Again movement and Turning Point USA.
In South Carolina, candidates have been emphasizing their support for Trump to gain his endorsement. Trump endorsed Evette, calling her an "America First Patriot." Following this endorsement, political dynamics shifted, with speculation surrounding potential running mates for Evette, including Henry McMaster Jr., the governor's son. However, both McMaster and Evette have denied any pre-arranged deals regarding the lieutenant governor position. The winner of the Republican nomination is expected to be a strong contender in the general election in November.