SC Governor Primary
Alan Wilson Projected to Win SC Governor GOP Primary Runoff Against Evitt
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has won the Republican nomination for governor, defeating Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in a GOP primary runoff, according to CNN and Associated Press projections made at 7:27 PM on June 23, 2026. Wilson held a commanding 65.8% of the vote when the race was called, with roughly 8% of precincts reporting.
The result was notable for a second reason: former President Donald Trump had endorsed both candidates. He first backed Evette in May, then issued a dual endorsement just four days before the runoff, saying "with either one you can't go wrong." Wilson will now face Democrat Jermaine Johnson in the November 3 general election.
Wilson Flipped a Race He Started Behind
Evette actually led the June 9 primary, finishing first with 28.9% of the vote. Wilson came in second at 26.2%. Neither reached the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff. But the two-week stretch between the primary and the runoff shifted the race dramatically in Wilson's favor.
A poll taken on June 15 showed Wilson with roughly 50% support, compared to Evette in the mid-30s, according to The State. Seven rivals from the original nine-candidate field dropped out and backed Wilson, including U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman. That wave of consolidation proved decisive.
Trump's Dual Endorsement Signals a Weakening Strategy
Trump's initial May 29 endorsement of Evette was unambiguous. But after several of his preferred candidates lost in other 2026 gubernatorial primaries — including races in Georgia and Iowa — he pivoted. On June 19, he posted his dual endorsement on Truth Social, backing both candidates rather than risk another high-profile loss, according to The Guardian.
The Washington Examiner described the move as a sign that "governor races emerge as an endorsement weak point" for Trump. Wilson, for his part, tried to claim the original endorsement anyway. "I've proudly stood with President Trump from the very beginning," Wilson said in a campaign release.
Wilson's 15-Year Record Fueled His Comeback
Wilson has served as South Carolina's Attorney General since 2011. He is the son of U.S. Representative Joe Wilson. His campaign focused on his prosecutorial record, including his role in the high-profile Alex Murdaugh murder trial and the state's legal fights against Biden-era federal policies on voting and border security, according to CBS News.
Evette, a two-term lieutenant governor under the outgoing Henry McMaster, tried to paint Wilson as a "career politician" and pitched herself as a business-minded successor to McMaster. But FITSNews reported that Wilson "obliterated" Evette in the runoff, suggesting GOP primary voters responded more to his independent record than to the governor's backing.
What Comes Next: Tax Cuts and a November Showdown
Wilson heads into the general election as a heavy favorite in deep-red South Carolina. He faces Democratic state Representative Jermaine Johnson, who won his party's nomination outright on June 9 with no runoff needed, according to Ballotpedia. The general election is set for November 3, 2026.
Wilson has campaigned on eliminating the state income tax and cutting government spending. A win in November would also mark the continuation of a political dynasty — his father, Joe Wilson, represents the state in Congress. The State noted that South Carolina has not had an open-seat governor's race since 2010, making this the most competitive the seat has been in over a decade.
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