Trump Backs Multiple Candidates in South Carolina Gubernatorial Race
President Donald Trump is endorsing both remaining Republican candidates in South Carolina’s gubernatorial race, aiming to circumvent potential setbacks in the upcoming primary.
In late May, Trump announced his support for Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evett just weeks before the first primary in South Carolina. Recently, he extended his endorsement to Attorney General Alan Wilson in a post on Truth Social, referring to both candidates as “MAGA and America First!” in anticipation of Tuesday’s Republican runoff election.
Trump remarked that backing one candidate shouldn’t come at the expense of another. “It’s wealth of wealth. You can’t go wrong with either choice,” he stated.
Evett emerged as the frontrunner in the June 9 primary, triggering a runoff after none of the candidates secured a majority. Despite gaining Trump’s prestigious endorsement, she garnered less than 30% of the vote, with only a narrow three-point lead over Wilson.
In the days following the primary, Wilson received endorsements from former opponents, including Rep. Nancy Mace and Rep. Ralph Norman. Additionally, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) publicly expressed his support for Wilson shortly after Trump’s announcement.
Wilson took to social media to express his gratitude for Trump’s backing and emphasized his commitment to uphold the administration’s policies as South Carolina’s attorney general. “When President Trump needed a warrior, I joined the fight,” he stated, affirming his dedication to keeping South Carolina strong and free.
Evett also expressed her pride in being endorsed by Trump, looking forward to the runoff election on June 23. This strategic move by Trump follows recent challenges in other gubernatorial primaries, where his endorsed candidates faced unexpected defeats.
In Iowa, Rep. Randy Feenstra, backed by Trump on the same day as Evett, lost the Republican gubernatorial primary narrowly to Zach Rahn, a businessman aligned with the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. When questioned about the loss, Trump indicated he hadn’t received “proper information,” suggesting the competitor aligned more closely with his brand.
In another upset, billionaire Rick Jackson won the Georgia Republican gubernatorial primary runoff, defeating Trump-supported Lieutenant Governor Bert Jones. Jackson, a political outsider, actively campaigned in the vein of Trump, resonating with conservative voters.
Trump praised Jackson’s campaign strategy, stating, “Rick Jackson ran a great Trump campaign. That’s very clever!” The dual endorsement in South Carolina is a tactic Trump has previously employed, notably during the 2022 Missouri Republican Senate primary, where his ambiguous support for multiple candidates caused some confusion.
