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South Carolina Governor Endorses Lieutenant Governor in 2026 Race
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has thrown his support behind Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in her campaign to succeed him, potentially reshaping the competitive Republican primary field and setting the stage for a coveted endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
In a video message set to be released Thursday, when the two are scheduled to appear together in Columbia, McMaster praised Evette as his partner in making South Carolina “the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
“With Pamela Evette as our next governor, we’ll keep winning,” McMaster stated in the endorsement shared with The Associated Press.
The endorsement comes as Evette faces a crowded primary field that includes U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, as well as state Attorney General Alan Wilson. In South Carolina’s deeply conservative political landscape, securing Trump’s support has become the most significant aspect of the race, and McMaster’s endorsement suggests Evette may be positioning herself as the frontrunner for Trump’s eventual blessing.
McMaster’s ties to Trump run deep. As South Carolina’s lieutenant governor in 2016, he became the first statewide elected official in the country to endorse Trump when many establishment Republicans were still hesitant to embrace the unconventional candidate. That early loyalty paid dividends when Trump appointed then-Governor Nikki Haley as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, allowing McMaster to ascend to the governorship.
“He remembers who was loyal, and who was with him when it wasn’t easy to be with him,” Evette said of Trump in an extensive interview with the AP. “There’s a lot of communication. We have a lot of tentacles that tie us together.”
Evette, who visited the White House last year and plans to return next month, described Trump’s endorsement as “extremely important” to the governor’s race, noting that without it, the campaign “becomes a mountain that’s a lot harder to climb.”
Trump’s influence in South Carolina politics has been formidable in recent years. In 2022, he successfully backed a primary challenger who ousted a five-term Republican congressman who had crossed him. In the 2024 presidential primary, Trump handily defeated Haley in her home state, further cementing his control over the South Carolina GOP.
Evette has made no secret of her allegiance to Trump. A businesswoman who was new to politics when she joined McMaster’s ticket in 2018, she has adopted the campaign slogan “Keep South Carolina Great,” echoing Trump’s “Make America Great Again” mantra. Her campaign materials prominently feature photos of her with Trump, and she has frequently touted her “unwavering support” for the former president.
The lieutenant governor has also assembled a campaign team that includes one of Trump’s closest advisors, longtime pollster Tony Fabrizio. Last year, her campaign launched a $1 million multimedia buy that included video of Trump praising Evette during his 2024 presidential campaign.
Other candidates in the race are similarly vying for Trump’s favor. Rep. Mace has described herself as “Trump in high heels” and highlighted the former president’s favorable social media posts about her. Wilson has emphasized his support for Trump from both his campaign and government office. Norman, one of the House’s most conservative members, backed Trump during his first term but endorsed Haley in the 2024 presidential primary, though he later attended a White House event honoring Purple Heart recipients.
South Carolina’s primary elections are scheduled for June 9, with a potential runoff two weeks later if no candidate secures a majority. In 2018, Trump made a last-minute campaign appearance with McMaster, helping him secure a runoff victory on his way to winning his first full term as governor.
The filing deadline for gubernatorial candidates is still more than a month away, so additional contenders could still enter the race. Two Democrats have announced their campaigns, but Republicans hold all statewide elected positions in South Carolina and have won the governor’s office for the past two decades, making the Republican primary the de facto election in the deeply red state.
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17 Comments
The governor’s endorsement of his lieutenant governor is an interesting political move, and the prospect of Trump’s backing could make this a high-profile Republican primary race in South Carolina.
Trump’s endorsement would be a significant boost for Evette, given his influence with the conservative base in the state.
It’s noteworthy that the sitting governor is endorsing his lieutenant governor as his successor. This could set the stage for a contentious Republican primary, especially if Trump weighs in with his support.
This endorsement from the sitting governor is an important signal of Evette’s political standing within the South Carolina Republican party. The prospect of a Trump endorsement could further bolster her campaign.
The governor’s endorsement of his lieutenant governor suggests a smooth transition of power, but the potential for a Trump endorsement could shake up the Republican primary race in South Carolina.
Trump’s backing would be a major boost for Evette, given his strong influence with the conservative base in the state.
The South Carolina governor’s endorsement of his lieutenant governor is an interesting political move. It will be worth watching how the Republican primary race unfolds, especially with the potential for a Trump endorsement.
Governor McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Evette seem to have a strong partnership, which could benefit the state if she succeeds him. It will be fascinating to see if Trump endorses her campaign.
Trump’s endorsement would be a major boost for Evette, given his influence with the Republican base in South Carolina.
This endorsement from the sitting governor indicates Evette has the support of the establishment Republican party in South Carolina. The potential for a Trump endorsement could further solidify her position as the frontrunner.
Interesting to see the South Carolina governor endorse his lieutenant governor as his successor. This could shake up the Republican primary with Trump’s endorsement potentially up for grabs.
Indeed, Trump’s backing is crucial in the state’s conservative landscape. Evette may be positioning herself as the frontrunner for his support.
The governor’s endorsement of his lieutenant governor is an intriguing political move, and the potential for a Trump endorsement could add an extra layer of intrigue to the Republican primary race in South Carolina.
Trump’s backing would be a significant boost for Evette, given his influence with the conservative base in the state.
It’s interesting to see the sitting governor endorse his lieutenant governor as his successor. The potential for a Trump endorsement could be a game-changer in this Republican primary race.
McMaster’s endorsement of Evette suggests a smooth transition of power is in the works. As a Trump ally, Evette may be well-positioned to secure the former president’s backing, which could be a game-changer in the primary.
Trump’s endorsement would carry a lot of weight in South Carolina’s conservative politics, so it will be fascinating to see if he throws his support behind Evette.