COLUMBIA, S.C. — President Donald Trump made a strategic change in his endorsements ahead of South Carolina's gubernatorial runoff scheduled for next week. On his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed that either Republican candidate for governor — not just Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, whom he had previously endorsed before the primary election on June 9 — would be a solid choice.
In his post, Trump lauded both Evette and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, stating, “Both have had amazing careers, and have been with me from the beginning. They are MAGA and America First all the way!” This shift marks a cautious approach for Trump in a primary season that has witnessed some of his favored candidates falling short in various elections, raising questions about his political influence as he navigates the latter stages of his second term.
Earlier in the month, Trump had given Evette his "Complete and Total Endorsement" and highlighted that a potential advantage for her campaign was the prospect of Henry McMaster Jr. — the son of the incumbent governor and a close ally of Trump — as her running mate. However, McMaster Jr. later announced that he would not be considering the position.
Following Trump's double endorsement, Evette expressed her pride on social media, mentioning her success as Trump’s endorsed candidate in the primary and her eagerness to repeat that victory on June 23. In a separate social media announcement, Wilson conveyed his honor at receiving Trump’s endorsement and subsequently detailed his legal work supporting Trump’s policies, including efforts related to birthright citizenship that are pending a Supreme Court decision.
Shortly after Trump's endorsement announcement, U.S. Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina declared his backing for Wilson, asserting that Wilson would "lead with humility, courage, and an optimistic vision for our state." A source indicated that Scott had been actively assisting Wilson through fundraising calls and encouraging Trump's support for his campaign.
Evette portrayed Trump's endorsement as a "golden ticket" for Republican candidates in South Carolina, although the outcomes for Trump-endorsed gubernatorial candidates in other states have been mixed. Trump’s selections in Iowa and Georgia, for instance, did not succeed this month.
This is not the first time Trump has issued simultaneous endorsements; before a 2022 U.S. Senate primary in Missouri, he notably endorsed a candidate by simply stating "ERIC," leaving both candidates to claim the endorsement. Eric Schmitt ultimately won the nomination and the Senate seat.
Despite an imminent primary in Arizona next month, Trump has been actively endorsing Republican gubernatorial candidates over the past two years. For example, in late 2024, Trump endorsed housing developer Karrin Taylor Robson, a decision that stirred discontent among some of his allies due to Robson’s connections with the party establishment. In April 2025, Trump further endorsed U.S. Representative Andy Biggs alongside Robson.
As for the current election cycle, Trump’s endorsements have resulted in a complex landscape for his 2026 primary picks. Candidates like biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville in Alabama gained Trump’s backing early in their campaigns and achieved notable victories in their primaries. Similarly, former state Senator Mike Mazzei received Trump’s endorsement in Oklahoma and has progressed to a runoff on August 25.
However, Trump’s gubernatorial picks have faced challenges in other races. In Georgia, billionaire healthcare tycoon Rick Jackson managed to secure the Republican nomination against Trump’s choice, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, despite hefty financial backing from Trump. Additionally, U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra, who was endorsed the same day as Evette, lost his bid for governor in Iowa, yielding to businessman Zach Lahn.
