Former President Donald Trump has endorsed South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette in the state's Republican gubernatorial primary, praising her as an 'America First Patriot' on his Truth Social platform. Evette faces a crowded field including U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, who has criticized the endorsement process and accused Evette of lying. Early voting is already underway ahead of the June 14 primary, with a potential runoff on June 23.

Trump's Truth Social Post: 'America First Patriot' Pam Evette

According to the source report, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that Evette has been loyal to him since the beginning of his 2024 presidential campaign, highlighting her early endorsement and campaign efforts. He outlined a lengthy list of policy priorities if she were elected, including growing the economy, cutting taxes, securing the border, and protecting the Second Amendment. This endorsement follows a pattern in which Trump has used Truth Social to anoint favored candidates in competitive primaries, often aiming to consolidate the MAGA base behind a single figure.

The timing of the endorsement,with early voting already open, gives Evette a potential last-minute boost — but it also hands her opponents a clear target. Trump's backing is a double-edged sword in a state where he won by double digits in 2020 but where local dynamics can override national loyalty.

Nancy Mace's Counterattack: Allegations of Lying and Redistricting Damage

U .S. Representative Nancy Mace responded to Trump's endorsement by saying she respects Trump but insists South Carolina needs to 'break' its corruption and broken system.. The report says Mace accused Evette of lying about Trump's endorsement and suggested that Evette's handling of the redistricting fight has hurt her gubernatorial prospects. This intra-party feud underscores a deeper rift: Mace has previously criticized Trump's endorsement process, and her willingness to challenge a Trump-backed candidate signals that the former president's influence is not absolute in the Palmetto State.

What remains unclear is how Republican voters will weigh Mace's specific allegations against Evette's claimed loyalty. The redistricting controversy, according to the source, is a concrete point of contention that could sway local party officials and grassroots activists.

Henry McMaster Jr. as Running Mate: A Familiar Name on the Ticket

Trump also expressed support for Henry McMaster Jr., the son of current Governor Henry McMaster, as Evette's running mate for lieutenant governor. According to the report, this endorsement ties Evette to the sitting governor's legacy while also leveraging the McMaster family name. The younger McMaster has no public election record, but his father remains a popular figure among South Carolina Republicans. The choice of running mate signals that Evette intends to project continuity and establishment ties — a contrast to Mace's anti-corruption messaging.

This dynamic raises a question: Does the McMaster Jr. pick strengthen or complicate Evette's outsider appeal? The source does not provide polling or voter reaction, leaving that open for debate.

The June 14 Primary and Runoff Possibility: What a Crowded Field Means

Early voting is already underway for the June 14 primary, and the report notes that a runoff election could occur on June 23 if no candidate wins an outright majority. With multiple candidates in the race, the field is sufficiently crowded to make a runoff likely. Trump's endorsement could push Evette into the top spot, but it also creates an anti-endorsement rallying point for Mace and others. The outcome will test whether Trump's personal stamp is enough to overcome local factions and grievances around redistricting and corruption allegations.

One key unknown: No polling data was cited in the source. It is impossible to assess the actual impact of the endorsement on voter preference without independent surveys. The race remains fluid.