President Donald Trump on Friday announced his endorsement of South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette for the Republican nomination for governor. The long-awaited endorsement is expected to factor heavy in the race, which features two current Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a Truth Social post, Trump highlighted Evette’s loyalty and conservative record. “Highly Respected and very popular Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, Pam Evette, is an America First Patriot who has been with me from the very beginning. She never wavered, never let me down, and was the only South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate to Endorse me as soon as I launched my 2024 Presidential Campaign,” the president wrote.
“She crisscrossed South Carolina and other States for me, and I said, at the time, that this is truly something which I cannot forget! Now Pam is running to be the next Governor of South Carolina, a place I love and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024, getting the Highest Vote, BY FAR, in the State’s History,” the endorsement post continued. Trump went on to express optimism that Evette will prioritize the administration’s goals at the state level and continue the work of current governor Henry McMaster, who is term-limited.
Evette graciously accepted the endorsement and credited President Trump for helping to launch her political career. “Your walk down that golden escalator is what propelled me into politics. You showed what a businessperson can do to make America Great Again. I am incredibly grateful for your support and will never let you down,” she said.
The endorsement did not extend to U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who is also seeking the nomination. Mace issued a statement expressing continued respect for Trump while criticizing the state’s political establishment.
“I have enormous respect for President Trump and everything he has done for our country and for South Carolina. That respect is genuine and it is unchanged. We have a state that’s corrupt. A system that’s broken. And an establishment who wants to stay in the shadows,” Mace wrote.
Trump also opted not to endorse U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, a longtime member of the House Freedom Caucus.
🚨 NOW: President Trump has just endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for GOVERNOR of SOUTH CAROLINA
She plans to ELIMINATE the income tax and slash property taxes
“She was the only South Carolina Gubernatorial Candidate to Endorse me as soon as I launched my 2024 Presidential… pic.twitter.com/LkCGhZr1dV
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 29, 2026
The president’s endorsement could prove decisive in the crowded Republican field, which polling has reflected as a right race. One recent poll from Trafalgar Group found Evette with a razor-close first place lead with 19.9 percent of the vote, while South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson trailed in a close second with 19.4 percent.
Businessman Rom Reddy trailed close behind at 15.9 percent, followed by Norman at 15.9 percent and Mace at 14.6 percent. An additional 5.6 percent remained undecided.
