Trump Shifts Endorsement Strategy in SC After Iowa Loss
President Donald Trump endorsed both Republican candidates in South Carolina's gubernatorial runoff on Friday, adjusting his strategy after Iowa and Georgia voters rejected his preferred picks in recent primaries. The dual endorsement guarantees Trump a win in the Palmetto State, avoiding another high-profile loss for the president's endorsement record.
Trump Backs Both Evette and Wilson in Runoff
Trump backed both Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson, stating that with either candidate, voters cannot go wrong. Just three weeks ago before the June 9 primary, Trump gave his complete and total endorsement solely to Evette in a crowded field.
Evette finished ahead of Wilson in the primary but fell far short of the 50% required to avoid the upcoming Tuesday runoff. Momentum now appears to favor Wilson, the state's longtime attorney general. Several candidates who missed the runoff, including US Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, have thrown their support behind Wilson. US Sen. Tim Scott also backed Wilson on Friday.
How Iowa Voters Rejected Trump's Pick
The presidential pivot in South Carolina follows two significant losses for Trump endorsed candidates. In Iowa, businessman Zach Lahn defeated Rep. Randy Feenstra in the governor's primary despite Trump's backing of Feenstra. The Iowa result highlighted a growing trend of voters prioritizing their own judgment over insider endorsements.
Following the Iowa loss, Trump publicly complained about being misinformed by his advisers. The defeat showed the strength of the Iowa conservative grassroots, who favored Lahn's outsider business approach over the Washington establishment.
Georgia Results Prompt a Strategic Pivot
Just days before the South Carolina decision, Georgia voters delivered another setback. Healthcare executive Rick Jackson defeated Trump backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the Georgia governor's primary. Trump attempted to save face by tying Jackson to his brand on Truth Social.
Rick Jackson ran a great TRUMP Campaign. Very smart!
The Washington Post previously reported on the possibility of a double endorsement in South Carolina. Trump used a similar strategy in the 2022 Missouri Senate race when he backed