South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has defeated Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in a decisive runoff election for governor, securing 65% of the vote. The victory positions Wilson as the likely Republican nominee for November’s gubernatorial race.
The runoff followed an initial primary where neither candidate achieved a majority. Wilson, a National Guard veteran, emerged victorious after President Trump endorsed both candidates heading into the contest. Evette, who received Trump’s first endorsement last month, had centered her campaign on her loyalty to the former president but ultimately lost in the runoff.
The president’s support came in a Truth Social post where he stated, “with either one you can’t go wrong.” South Carolina has elected Republican governors since 2002, meaning Wilson is likely to become governor in November.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) praised Wilson, saying: “Congratulations to my friend, @AGAlanWilson, on his well-deserved victory tonight. I was proud to endorse him and campaign with him this week.”
Cruz added: “Alan is a proven conservative fighter, and now it’s time for South Carolinians to unite behind him and get him across the finish line in November!”
Before Trump’s endorsement, Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace endorsed Wilson after finishing third and fifth in the first primary. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) also backed Wilson. The state has elected Republican governors in every election since 2002, when its last Democratic governor, Jim Hodges, left office.
In recent months, Trump’s preferred candidates faced setbacks: Rep. Randy Feenstra lost his Iowa Republican primary to Zach Lahn, and in Georgia, Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
