Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Republican from South Carolina, faced the press after receiving Gov. Henry McMaster’s endorsement for the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary in Columbia, South Carolina. The event took place on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
The gubernatorial race intensifies with Evette competing against Attorney General Alan Wilson in the Republican runoff. Wilson gained a last-minute endorsement from the president, marking a shift as the president had previously backed Evette before the June 9 primary.
Governor McMaster supports Evette. Despite the rivalry, the president expressed support for both candidates, stating on social media, “I can’t hurt one of them by endorsing only the other, so therefore, I am going to endorse both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson! It’s a wealth of riches with either one you can’t go wrong.”
The winner of Tuesday’s election will contend against state Rep. Jermaine Johnson, a Democrat, come November. The polls for Tuesday’s runoff will close at 7 p.m. EDT.
For more information on the unfolding results, refer to Decision Desk HQ’s live updates.