Trump backs Pamela Evette, Alan Wilson in SC governor runoff

• Texas Senator Ted Cruz endorsed Alan Wilson in the South Carolina Republican governor's runoff.
• Cruz's endorsement follows the president's support for Wilson's opponent, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
• Wilson and Evette are competing in a runoff election on June 23 to secure the Republican nomination.
• The primary election on June 9 resulted in a runoff between the two frontrunners.

President Donald Trump isn't picking sides in South Carolina’s Republican governor runoff, endorsing Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson days before voters decide on Tuesday, June 23.

Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social, calling the runoff between Evette and Wilson “a wealth of riches” and saying he could not “hurt one of them by only endorsing the other.”

In the post, Trump praised both candidates’ records and loyalty, writing that Evette and Wilson “have been with me from the beginning” and are “MAGA and America First all the way.” He said he hoped the race would come down to the two and encouraged voters to support either candidate in the June 23 runoff.

Trump told voters they “can’t go wrong” with either choice and urged them to turn out for the runoff election.

Alan Wilson responds to Donald Trump endorsement

Wilson said in a post on X that he was honored to receive the president's endorsement.

"President Trump has fought harder than anyone to secure our border, restore American strength, drain the swamp, protect our freedoms, and put working families first," Wilson said in a post on X.

"I defended President Trump’s executive orders," he said in the post. "I backed his America First cabinet. I fought back against the Left’s lawfare and political prosecutions. I defended election integrity. I took the Biden Administration to court when they tried to force their woke, unconstitutional agenda on South Carolina."

Donald Trump endorsed Pamela Evette before the primary

A couple of weeks before the Primary on June 9, Trump issued an endorsement of Evette in a Truth Social post on May 29, saying Evette has the courage and wisdom to deliver strong results.

"Pam Evette is a good friend, fighter and WINNER, and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina," Trump wrote.

SC Gov. Henry McMaster endorsed Evette before the primary

Gov. Henry McMaster endorsed Evette to become the next governor of South Carolina in February.

He said he initially wanted Evette to join his ticket because of her business background and her status as a Donald Trump supporter.

"She has learned about government, she has been my eyes and ears," McMaster said. "I trust her. I believe in her."

Evette's campaign team confirmed the endorsement on Feb. 12 and held an event in Columbia to commemorate it.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz endorsed Alan Wilson in the runoff

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz endorsed Wilson over Evette ahead of the Republican runoff.

Cruz, R-Texas, endorsed Wilson on June 13. Cruz called Wilson a "proven conservative fighter" in an endorsement post and commended his work as attorney general of South Carolina.

"He has the courage, conviction, and leadership South Carolina needs, and I am confident he will be an outstanding Governor," Cruz said on X.

Fellow candidates Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, and Josh Kimbrell endorse Alan Wilson

U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace, District 1, and Ralph Norman, District 5,  and State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, who dropped out before the primary, have all endorsed Wilson in the runoff race. Norman, who endorsed Wilson on June 15, said in a social media post that he believes Wilson is the right conservative leader to "clean up" Columbia.

Wilson said that he doesn't see the people he competed against in the primary as his enemies, and he respects the different qualities they brought to the race.

"They all taught me something about how to be a better candidate," Wilson said.

Primary runoff day is June 23

Wilson and Evette advanced to a runoff after results from the June 9 primary were reported. The runoff will take place on June 23, and its results will determine which candidate earns the Republican Party's nomination.

Polls will be open on primary election day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at [email protected]