President Donald Trump has endorsed South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pam Evette in the state’s Republican gubernatorial contest, bypassing Rep. Nancy Mace in the process.
Trump announced his support for Evette on Friday evening through a post on Truth Social, his preferred social media platform for major political announcements.
The president described Evette as an “America First Patriot” who “never wavered,” offering strong and unambiguous language in his endorsement of the lieutenant governor.
Trump’s post also called Evette “a good friend, fighter, and WINNER,” signaling his confidence in her as a competitive candidate in the Republican primary.
The endorsement places Trump in direct opposition to Mace, a Republican congresswoman from South Carolina who is also seeking the governor’s office.
Mace, who has represented South Carolina in the House of Representatives, now faces a significant political obstacle with the former and current president backing her rival.
Evette currently serves as the state’s lieutenant governor, giving her an existing platform and statewide name recognition heading into the gubernatorial race.
Trump’s backing is widely considered a powerful advantage in Republican primary contests, having proven decisive in numerous races across the country in recent election cycles.
The endorsement adds fresh tension to the South Carolina Republican political landscape, where both Mace and Evette have been positioning themselves for a competitive primary battle.
Mace has not yet publicly responded to the president’s decision to back her opponent in the race for South Carolina’s top executive office.
The contest now takes on added national significance as a test of Trump’s continued influence over Republican primary voters heading into a consequential election year.