South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is leaning on her Trump connection in the race for governor, launching a $1 million, month-long multimedia advertising blitz that includes a debut during the state’s big college football games this weekend.
The new 30-second TV spot, which will air across South Carolina, features a clip of Donald Trump praising Evette as she campaigned for him in 2024 and shows the two together as he tells a crowd that she is “going places.” Trump has not formally endorsed a candidate in the GOP governor’s primary, and it remains unclear if and when he will.
The ad comes as the GOP field intensifies in a state where Trump’s appeal remains strong and the race to win his blessing is shaping up to be a defining storyline. Evette is joined by Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman, and state Attorney General Alan Wilson in vying for the Republican nomination. One Democrat has entered the race, but Republicans currently control all statewide offices in South Carolina and have held the governor’s office for more than two decades.
All of the leading Republican contenders have signaled the importance of Trump’s endorsement. Evette has long touted her alignment with the former president, tying her campaign to Trump-era messages and highlighting her background in business as a key driver for economic growth in the state. Her team emphasizes her tenure as governor, or rather as lieutenant governor alongside Gov. Henry McMaster, as evidence of steady governance and a shared agenda with Trump’s economic priorities.
Mace has been vocal about securing Trump’s support, telling supporters she plans to “work hard” to win his backing and pointing to favorable mentions Trump has posted about her on social media. During her summer launch, Mace described herself as “Trump in high heels” and argued she is best positioned to advance Trump’s agenda in South Carolina.
Wilson has leaned into proximity to Trump from both campaign and official roles, highlighting his defense of Trump against legal challenges and touting his own anti-waste philosophy as part of a broader push for government efficiency aligned with Trump-era priorities.
Norman, a longtime conservative voice in the House Freedom Caucus, initially backed Trump during his first term but endorsed Nikki Haley in the 2024 cycle. He remains a proponent of Trump’s policy agenda and has underscored his own commitment to pushing that agenda through legislative work and state leadership.
South Carolina’s primary is set for June 9, with a runoff possible two weeks later if no candidate reaches the required threshold. The state’s 2018 primary saw a late Trump visit help Gov. McMaster secure a runoff and eventually win reelection, underscoring how tightly Trump’s presence and endorsements can shape the outcome.
What this highlights going forward is a campaign climate in which funding and high-profile endorsements mingle with broad media buys to mobilize a GOP base that remains deeply loyal to Trump in South Carolina. Evette’s ad strategy signals confidence in her message and the support network she believes can translate into a governor’s race that many view through the lens of Trump’s enduring influence.
Summary: A major ad buy from Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette amplifies her Trump connection as Republican rivals race to secure the former president’s backing in a state where Trump remains popular, signaling a campaign environment defined by endorsements, economic-focused messaging, and high-stakes messaging around loyalty to the Trump agenda.
Additional notes: If you’d like, I can tailor this into a version optimized for a homepage feature, with a short sidebar outlining each candidate’s key Trump-aligned talking points and a quick timeline of important campaign milestones.