After Iowa Primary Loss, Trump Hedges Bet in South Carolina
President Donald Trump endorsed both Republican candidates in the South Carolina gubernatorial runoff on Friday, shifting his strategy after recent endorsement losses in Iowa and Georgia. The move guarantees Trump a win in a reliably red state while raising questions about his influence in down-ballot races.
What happened in the South Carolina governor's race?
Trump offered a dual endorsement of South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. He stated that with either candidate, voters cannot go wrong. Just three weeks earlier, before the June 9 primary, Trump backed Evette exclusively in a crowded field, giving her his complete and total endorsement.
Evette finished a few points ahead of Wilson in the primary but fell far short of the 50% threshold needed to avoid the upcoming Tuesday runoff. Momentum currently appears to favor Wilson. The majority of the candidates who did not make the runoff, including US Representatives Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, have thrown their support behind the attorney general. US Senator Tim Scott also endorsed Wilson on Friday.
How did the Iowa governor's race influence Trump's strategy?
The presidential pivot in South Carolina comes on the heels of a significant upset in Iowa. Businessman Zach Lahn defeated Representative Randy Feenstra in the Iowa governor's primary, overcoming Trump's endorsement of Feenstra. Following that loss, Trump complained publicly about being misinformed by his advisers.
Iowa voters demonstrated a strong independent streak, prioritizing their own assessment of the candidates over national endorsements. The result highlights the power of the local grassroots conservative movement, which ultimately rallied behind Lahn's campaign. Iowa conservatives value limited government and local accountability, proving that the Republican base is energized and fully capable of deciding their own leaders without top-down influence.
Trump faced another setback this past Tuesday in Georgia. Healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in the Georgia governor's primary. Trump attempted to save face after Jones' defeat by tying Jackson to his brand, noting on Truth Social that Jackson ran a great Trump campaign.
What are the candidates saying about the dual endorsement?
Wilson quickly changed his social media profile to note Trump's support for his campaign. He emphasized his longstanding loyalty to the president.