Trump Backs Both Rivals in SC Governor Race After Iowa Primary Surprise
President Donald Trump is endorsing both remaining Republicans in South Carolina's governor runoff, a strategic move that comes after his endorsed candidates suffered surprising defeats in Iowa and Georgia. The decision highlights a growing trend where Trump-aligned voters are picking their own champions, sometimes bypassing the president's official picks.
Why Did Trump Endorse Both Candidates in South Carolina?
Trump announced Friday on Truth Social that he is backing both Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson ahead of Tuesday's GOP runoff. He had initially endorsed Evette in late May, but said he could not bring himself to choose between them now.
“I can't hurt one of them by only Endorsing the other, so, therefore, I am going to Endorse, for Governor of South Carolina, both Pam Evette and Alan Wilson! It's a Wealth of Riches — With either one you can't go wrong,” Trump wrote.
Trump praised both rivals as “MAGA and America First all the way,” signaling that the conservative movement wins either way in South Carolina.
How Did the SC Primary Results Shake Out?
Evette finished first in the June 9 primary but earned less than 30 percent of the vote in a crowded field, running only 3 points ahead of Wilson. That narrow margin, despite Trump's early endorsement, showed that Republican voters are making their own decisions.
Since the primary, Wilson has built strong momentum. He picked up endorsements from two former opponents, Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman. Shortly after Trump's dual endorsement announcement, Senator Tim Scott also publicly backed Wilson.
Wilson emphasized his record of defending the Trump administration's agenda as attorney general.
“When President Trump needed fighters, I was in the fight. Now, I am running for Governor to keep South Carolina strong, conservative, and free,” Wilson wrote on X.
Evette, for her part, reminded voters that she was Trump's original pick.
“I was proud to come in first as President Trump's endorsed candidate for Governor on June 9th. Looking forward to doing it again on June 23rd,” Evette posted on X.
What Does Iowa's Governor Race Tell Us About Trump Endorsements?
Iowa voters delivered a clear message earlier this month. Congressman Randy Feenstra, who received Trump's endorsement the same day as Evette, was narrowly defeated by businessman Zach Lahn in the June 2 GOP primary for governor.
Lahn aligned himself with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement and ran as a political outsider committed to shaking up the status quo. When asked about Feenstra's loss last week, Trump suggested he was not given the full picture, stating that “the other person was much more Trump” than Feenstra.
The Iowa result demonstrated that voters in deep-red states are looking for candidates who embody the full scope of the America First agenda, not just the endorsement itself. Lahn's victory over an establishment Republican showed the enduring power of the grassroots movement Trump built.
Georgia Result Reinforces the Pattern
The trend continued in Georgia this week, where billionaire Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in the Republican primary runoff. Jackson, a businessman and political outsider, ran a campaign modeled after Trump's own style and made an aggressive play for his base.
Trump acknowledged the outcome graciously on Truth Social.
“Rick Jackson ran a great TRUMP Campaign. Very smart!” Trump wrote.
Is the Double Endorsement Tactic New for Trump?
This is not the first time Trump has used the double endorsement approach. In the 2022 Missouri GOP Senate primary, Trump caused some confusion when he announced that “ERIC has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” referring to both former Governor Eric Greitens and then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt.
The tactic allows Trump to maintain influence without risking another high-profile loss. By backing both candidates, he ensures the eventual winner is a confirmed ally.
Does a Trump Endorsement Still Guarantee a Win?
Not always, as Iowa and Georgia showed.
The recent string of defeats suggests that while Trump's endorsement carries weight, it is not a guaranteed path to victory. Republican voters appear increasingly willing to assess candidates on their own merits, their alignment with the broader MAGA movement, and their outsider credentials.
What happens in the SC runoff on June 23?
South Carolina voters will decide between Evette and Wilson on Tuesday. Both candidates have strong conservative records and Trump's backing. Wilson enters the runoff with momentum from key endorsements, while Evette holds the advantage of her first-place primary finish.