Pamela Evette And Alan Wilson Head To Runoff In South Carolina GOP Governor Primary
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to a Republican runoff for South Carolina governor after neither won a majority in the state's June 9 primary.[1]
The Associated Press called the contest, and Evette and Wilson will meet in a June 23 runoff to decide the GOP nominee.[2] The New York Times published vote shares and county-level breakdowns showing why other contenders, including Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, were eliminated.[1] CBS News had projected Evette and Wilson would advance earlier in the night as results trickled in.[3]
Gov. Henry McMaster plucked Pamela Evette from the private sector in 2017 to be his running mate, and his network and endorsement helped launch her political career.[2] President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on May 29 giving Evette his "Complete and Total Endorsement" and also floated McMaster as a possible running mate, a move rivals derided as a backroom deal.[2] Alan Wilson, first elected attorney general in 2010, gained national profile from his office's role in the 2023 Alex Murdaugh murder case.[2] The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned those convictions in May 2026, and both Wilson and Evette say they oppose further abortion limits beyond the state's six-week law and back eliminating the 5.21% personal income tax.[2]
More than 300,000 South Carolinians cast early ballots in the two weeks before the primary, nearly double 2024 early voting totals and reshaping turnout patterns.[2] Pre-primary polls showed a fragmented field with no candidate above about 27 percent, making a runoff likely.
The mainstream summary does not mention the significant increase in early voting, which saw over 300,000 ballots cast—nearly double the 2024 totals and triple those from 2022. This surge in early voting indicates a heightened engagement among South Carolina voters, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the runoff election. According to WIS-TV, this record turnout reflects a growing trend in voter participation that the mainstream account overlooks, which could have implications for the candidates' strategies moving forward.
Additionally, while the summary notes that pre-primary polls showed a fragmented field, it fails to specify that no candidate exceeded 27% support, with top contenders typically polling in the high teens to low 20s. This detail from Ballotpedia highlights the competitive nature of the primary and the challenges both Evette and Wilson face in securing a decisive victory in the runoff, a nuance that is critical for understanding the electoral landscape in South Carolina.
Show source details & analysis (3 sources)
📊 Relevant Data
Over 300,000 early ballots were cast in South Carolina's 2026 statewide primaries, nearly double the 120,000 in 2024 and triple the 101,000 in 2022.
Over 300K voted early in 2026 SC primaries, shattering previous record — WIS-TV
South Carolina had approximately 3.4 million registered voters ahead of the June 9, 2026 primary.
Live Results: South Carolina midterm primaries — PBS NewsHour
The 2018 and 2022 Republican primaries for governor each had approximately 368,000 votes cast.
Live Results: South Carolina midterm primaries — PBS NewsHour
Pre-primary polls in late May and early June 2026 showed a fragmented field, with no candidate exceeding 27% support and top contenders typically in the high teens to low 20s%. ([Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/South_Carolina_gubernatorial_election,_2026_(June_9_Republican_primary)))
South Carolina gubernatorial election, 2026 (June 9 Republican primary) — Ballotpedia
📌 Key Facts
- The New York Times called the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, for Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, confirming they advance to a June 23, 2026 runoff and providing vote shares, margins and county-level breakdowns that showed why other contenders were eliminated.
- The Associated Press — as reported by NPR — called the primary on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, noting neither Evette nor Wilson secured a majority and setting the June 23, 2026 runoff.
- President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on May 29, 2026, giving Pamela Evette his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and publicly floated Henry D. McMaster Jr. as a potential running mate, a move rivals derided as a backroom deal.
- Henry McMaster plucked Pamela Evette from the private sector in 2017 to be his 2018 running mate, and his network and endorsement helped launch her political career.
- Alan Wilson, first elected attorney general in 2010, gained national profile from his office's role in the 2023 Alex Murdaugh double-murder case; those convictions were overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court in May 2026 and a retrial is expected.
- Both Evette and Wilson said they do not support further abortion restrictions beyond South Carolina's current six-week law, and both back eliminating the state's 5.21% personal income tax and auditing government for efficiency.
- The GOP primary field contained five candidates — including Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman and a Lowcountry businessman who were eliminated — and a record number of South Carolinians voted early in the two weeks before Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- NPR reports that the Associated Press called the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, sending Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson to a June 23 runoff after neither secured a majority.
- NPR specifies that Gov. Henry McMaster "plucked" Pamela Evette from the private sector in 2017 to be his 2018 running mate, noting his network and endorsement helped launch her political career.
- The article notes President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on May 29, 2026, giving Evette his "Complete and Total Endorsement" and publicly floating the idea that Henry D. McMaster Jr. could be her running mate, a mention that triggered attacks from rivals as a purported backroom deal.
- NPR details that Alan Wilson, first elected attorney general in 2010, has gained national profile from his office's work on the 2023 Alex Murdaugh double-murder trial, whose convictions were overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court in May 2026 due to jury tampering, with a retrial expected.
- The article reports both Evette and Wilson say they do not support further abortion restrictions beyond South Carolina's current six-week law and that both back eliminating the state's 5.21% personal income tax and auditing government for efficiency.
- NPR confirms the GOP primary field contained five candidates, naming Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman and a Lowcountry businessman as those eliminated, with Evette and Wilson described as the more mainstream contenders.
- NPR notes a record number of South Carolinians voted early over the two weeks before June 9, 2026, and links that early-voting period to a failed GOP redistricting push in the state Senate aimed at flipping Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn's 6th District.
- The article reiterates that South Carolina uses open primaries and sets the runoff election date as June 23, 2026.
- New York Times calls the June 9, 2026 South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary for Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, confirming they advance to a June 23 runoff.
- Article provides NYT's specific vote shares and margins for Evette, Wilson, and the eliminated candidates (including Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman), refining earlier projections based on partial results.
- Reporting adds more detailed breakdown of county-level or regional strengths for Evette and Wilson, clarifying which parts of the state fueled each candidate's advancement.