Trump Backs Two in SC Runoff After Iowa Endorsement Loss
President Donald Trump is doubling down in South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial runoff, endorsing both candidates in the race after his endorsement streak was recently broken in Iowa. The move raises fresh questions about the power of Trump's backing in GOP primaries and what it means for conservative voters heading into the midterms.
On Friday, Trump took to Truth Social to announce he was supporting both Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson in the battle for the GOP nomination to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster.
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! With either one you can't go wrong.
The endorsement of Wilson appears to be a hedge by Trump, who had already backed Evette late last month. Evette is also supported by McMaster, a longtime ally of the president.
Why Trump's Double Endorsement Matters After Iowa
The South Carolina runoff had been viewed as the latest test of Trump's grip on the GOP and the power of his endorsements in Republican nominating contests. But his decision to back both candidates comes just weeks after his endorsed candidate in Iowa suffered a surprising defeat.
Three weeks ago, Trump's last-minute endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra in the race to succeed retiring Gov. Kim Reynolds wasn't enough to push the three-term congressman to victory. Feenstra was narrowly edged out by Zach Lahn, a businessman, farmer, and former political strategist.
Lahn was backed by the political wings of the Make America Healthy Again movement, aligned with Trump Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Turning Point USA, the powerful conservative organization co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
The Iowa loss snapped Trump's endorsement streak in statewide and congressional Republican primaries, a streak that had seen his candidates oust incumbents he targeted in Indiana, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Texas.
What Happened in South Carolina's GOP Primary
Evette finished on top of a crowded field in the primary election, with Wilson second. The field also included Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and multimillionaire businessman Rom Reddy. Since no candidate won a majority, Evette and Wilson advanced to the June 23 runoff.
Mace and Norman endorsed Wilson after failing to advance. Wilson was also backed by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who threw his support behind the attorney general last week.
The runoff between Evette and Wilson has turned combustible. In Tuesday's final debate, both candidates launched personal attacks and accused each other of lying about their records.
Wilson has worked to contrast his tenure as attorney general with what he's argued is Evette's largely ceremonial role as lieutenant governor. He has spotlighted his experience as a combat veteran, prosecutor, and the state's top law enforcement official.
Evette has showcased herself as an outsider and a Trump-endorsed businesswoman, while casting Wilson as a career politician.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is supporting Wilson and has helped with fundraising, made calls on behalf of Wilson and encouraged the president's endorsement of the attorney general, a source familiar with the discussions told Fox News Digital.
Trump's History of Double Endorsements
This isn't the first time Trump has made dual endorsements in the same Republican race. He was backing both Gina Swoboda and Jay Feely in next month's Republican primary in Arizona's 1st Congressional District before Swoboda dropped out to run for secretary of state.
Most famously, Trump endorsed