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Evette and Wilson Advance to South Carolina GOP Runoff

The June 23 Republican runoff is a direct test of President Trump’s endorsement power that will decide the party’s likely November nominee.

FILE - U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., takes questions from reporters following a South Carolina gubernatorial GOP candidate debate on April 1, in Newberry, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette arrives to speak at an election night watch party after advancing to a GOP primary runoff in the governor's race on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)
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Overview

  • The crowded Republican primary on Tuesday, June 9 produced no majority winner so Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson will face each other in a June 23 runoff.
  • Evette led the field with roughly 29 percent of the vote while Wilson finished near 26 percent and Rep. Nancy Mace trailed with about 11 to 12 percent.
  • Mace conceded the primary, endorsed Wilson for the runoff, and said her push to release Justice Department files tied to Jeffrey Epstein cost her support and likely the presidential endorsement.
  • President Trump endorsed Evette in late May and held an election‑eve tele‑rally for her, making the runoff a fresh barometer of his influence after mixed results for his picks in other recent GOP contests.
  • The runoff will likely determine who succeeds term‑limited Gov. Henry McMaster in a reliably Republican state and will sharpen intra‑party tensions as some candidates and outlets reported disputed claims about behind‑the‑scenes maneuvers to secure endorsements.