Donald Trump is now supporting both remaining Republican contenders in South Carolina's gubernatorial runoff, a striking reversal from his initial endorsement strategy that came after recent primary setbacks in other states.
The former president had backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette ahead of the June 9 primary, but announced Friday on Truth Social that he is also throwing his weight behind Attorney General Alan Wilson for Tuesday's runoff vote. Trump framed the dual endorsement as a no-lose proposition, writing that the two rivals are "MAGA and America First all the way!"
"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," Trump posted, calling the matchup "a Wealth of Riches."
Evette finished first in the initial primary with less than 30% of the vote, placing her just 3 points ahead of Wilson despite Trump's backing. That slim margin set the stage for the runoff.
The double endorsement follows a pattern of Trump missteps on the campaign trail. In Iowa's June 2 GOP gubernatorial primary, Trump's endorsed candidate, Rep. Randy Feenstra, lost narrowly to businessman Zach Lahn. Trump later suggested he lacked proper information about the race, claiming the winner was less loyal to him than he initially believed.
More recently, billionaire Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia's Republican gubernatorial runoff. Jackson positioned himself as a Trump-like outsider and aggressively courted the former president's supporters.
Wilson's camp welcomed the late-hour support. The attorney general emphasized his track record defending Trump's agenda, posting on X that "When President Trump needed fighters, I was in the fight." He also noted his intention to "keep South Carolina strong, conservative, and free" as governor.
Wilson has gained momentum beyond Trump's endorsement. Two former primary rivals, Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, recently backed him. Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina's senior Republican senator, also publicly endorsed Wilson shortly after Trump's announcement.
Evette responded by touting her first-place finish and Trump's original support, signaling confidence heading into the runoff. "I was proud to come in first as President @realDonaldTrump's endorsed candidate for Governor on June 9th," she wrote on X. "Looking forward to doing it again on June 23rd."
Trump has employed the simultaneous endorsement tactic before. In Missouri's 2022 GOP Senate primary, he announced that "ERIC has my Complete and Total Endorsement," creating ambiguity between candidates Eric Greitens and Eric Schmitt.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Backing both horses looks like a hedge against another embarrassing loss, but it also signals Trump knows he may not have the kingmaker power he once claimed."
Comments