South Carolina's Republican Party picked State Attorney General Alan Wilson as its nominee for governor Tuesday, closing out a runoff that showcased an unconventional political moment: Donald Trump endorsing both finalists simultaneously to avoid alienating either faction of the party.
Wilson finished second in the June primary behind Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who drew 29% to his 26%. Both advanced to the runoff that would determine the GOP's standard-bearer for an open seat, the first in the state since 2010 after term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster exited the race.
Days before the runoff vote, Trump pivoted from his earlier backing of Evette to a both-or-neither position. "These were the two that I was hoping would get into a Runoff, and they did," he wrote on Truth Social. "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."
The move came as other Trump-endorsed candidates stumbled in recent weeks. In Iowa's Republican primary for governor, the billionaire backed Rep. Randy Feenstra, who lost to businessman Zach Lahn. Trump later suggested he hadn't fully grasped Iowa's race. Georgia's GOP also rejected Trump's choice when billionaire Rick Jackson defeated his preferred candidate, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, in that state's gubernatorial primary.
Wilson's path to the runoff was aided by endorsements from Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, who finished third and fifth in the initial primary, and Sen. Tim Scott. Those endorsements gave him momentum heading into the final matchup.
South Carolina's electoral map heavily favors Republicans. The state has sent GOP governors to office in every election since 2002, when Democrat Jim Hodges left the statehouse for the last time. Democrat Jermaine Johnson won his party's primary earlier this month and will face Wilson in November.
Wilson enters the general election as a substantial favorite, positioning himself to lead the state during a period when Republican dominance at the governor's office faces few challenges from the Democratic Party.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's hedge-all-bets strategy worked this time, but it also reveals how uncertain his grip on Republican primaries has become when endorsements alone can't guarantee victory."
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