Trump Backing Fails to Lock South Carolina GOP Primary

South Carolina Republicans head to the polls Tuesday in a gubernatorial primary where President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has not produced the expected consolidation. Multiple candidates remain in contention, and the possibility of a runoff leaves the outcome open.

Rep. Nancy Mace, one of the contenders, told Fox News Digital that the endorsement generated only a modest shift in support. She attributed the limited effect to dissatisfaction among grassroots voters over her own push to release Epstein-related files. Mace described the contest as a “dog fight” and said she would vote for herself.

Trump endorsed Evette days before early voting began. The president also noted that Evette would likely select Henry McMaster Jr. as her running mate. Evette, backed by term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster, faces Mace, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Rep. Ralph Norman and businessman Rom Reddy. A majority is required to avoid a June runoff.

No polling data appeared in the provided coverage to confirm or refute Mace’s assessment of a five-point bump. Other outlets reporting the same endorsement focused on the announcement itself or on Mace’s Epstein vote without independent survey figures. The race remains one of several 2026 contests in which Trump’s preference is being tested against local dynamics.

California and New Mexico held separate Democratic primaries the same week. Those contests featured different candidate fields and no direct Trump involvement. Coverage of those races supplied vote totals and biographical details but offered no additional information on Republican contests or endorsement effects.