Alan Wilson Wins South Carolina Governor Primary After Trump Backs Both Candidates | Image Via CBSNEWS.com
AND Editorial Team
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican primary runoff for governor on June 23, 2026 . He defeated Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette by a wide margin . Wilson captured about 65 percent of the vote . Evette received roughly 34 percent .
The result was one of the most closely watched governor’s races in the country . President Donald Trump played an unusual role. He endorsed both candidates just days before the runoff .
Wilson now advances to the November 3 general election . He will face Democratic state Representative Jermaine Johnson . South Carolina has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998 .
Just two weeks earlier, Evette appeared to have the advantage . She finished ahead of Wilson in the initial Republican primary on June 9 . Evette received about 29 percent of the vote. Wilson got about 26 percent .
Trump had endorsed Evette in May . He called her a “good friend, fighter, and WINNER” . Evette built her campaign around loyalty to the president .
But the runoff race shifted quickly. Wilson consolidated support from nearly every eliminated Republican candidate . Representative Nancy Mace endorsed Wilson despite their earlier feud . Representative Ralph Norman also backed him . Senator Tim Scott supported Wilson as well .
Wilson also had a strong grassroots operation . Volunteers made calls and knocked on doors throughout the short runoff period. He won all but a handful of counties .
Perhaps the most discussed aspect of the race was Trump’s unusual endorsement strategy . Trump originally endorsed Evette . But as polling and momentum shifted toward Wilson, Trump changed course . On June 19, he posted on Truth Social that he was endorsing both candidates .
“With either one you can’t go wrong,” Trump wrote .
The move sparked immediate debate among political observers. Supporters argued Trump was simply acknowledging two strong candidates. Critics accused him of hedging his bets .
Trump had already suffered losses in two other governor’s races this year . His endorsed candidates lost in Iowa and Georgia . By endorsing both candidates, Trump guaranteed he could claim a “win” in South Carolina .
Wilson quickly embraced the endorsement. He changed his social media profiles to show Trump’s support . “I am deeply honored to have his support,” Wilson said .
Several factors drove Wilson’s victory:
1. Broader Republican coalition
Wilson attracted support from former rivals, lawmakers, and conservative activists across the state . Those endorsements helped unify voters who had backed other candidates in the first round.
2. Focus on state issues
While Evette highlighted her relationship with Trump, Wilson focused on state-level concerns . His campaign promised to make “South Carolina Affordable Again” . He discussed eliminating the state income tax and lowering property taxes . He also talked about infrastructure and government waste.
Many Republican voters appeared more interested in these practical issues than in loyalty to Trump .
3. Strong ground organization
Political observers pointed to Wilson’s turnout operation . Volunteers made calls and mobilized supporters throughout the runoff campaign.
4. Attorney General experience
Wilson has served as South Carolina’s attorney general since 2011 . He entered the race with strong statewide name recognition . His long tenure helped present him as an experienced candidate ready to step into the governor’s office.
Wilson now advances to the November 3 general election against Democrat Jermaine Johnson .
Republicans hold a major advantage in South Carolina . The state voted for Trump by about 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election . Republicans have won every governor’s race since 2002 .
Because of these political realities, most analysts view Wilson as the clear favorite heading into the fall campaign . The Cook Political Report rates the race as Solidly Republican .
Wilson’s campaign platform could have implications for businesses and taxpayers in South Carolina.
Key proposals include income tax reductions, property tax relief, and infrastructure investment . These issues are likely to become central themes as Wilson and Johnson begin their general election campaigns.
Alan Wilson’s victory was far more decisive than many expected after the first round of voting . His ability to unite Republican factions and focus on state-level economic concerns produced a runoff landslide .
The result also highlights a growing political lesson from 2026. While Trump’s endorsement remains influential, organization, coalition-building, and issue-focused campaigning still matter in competitive Republican primaries .
With the Republican nomination secured, Wilson now turns his attention to November . He enters the general election as the favorite to become South Carolina’s next governor .
