South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
1dDonald Trump backed Pamela Evette for the South Carolina Republican governor nomination, and she is currently at 24%.
24%
South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
$2.5M
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleLieutenant Governor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age58 years old (Aug 28, 1967)
GenderFemale
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LocationSouth Carolina
BackgroundLieutenant Governor of South Carolina
EducationMidpark High School (1985)
Notable personal detailsPamela Sue Evette is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the 93rd lieutenant governor of South Carolina since 2019. Originally from Ohio, she earned a business degree in accounting from Cleveland State University and worked as an accountant before moving to Travelers Rest, South Carolina. She founded Quality Business Solutions, a payroll, HR, and benefits services firm, and later entered statewide elected office as the first female Republican lieutenant governor in South Carolina history.
SourcesShowHide
scstatehouse.goven.wikipedia.orgpamelaevette.comnlga.ussc.govapnews.comes.wikipedia.orglinkedin.comcarolana.comsaludagop.orgspectrumlocalnews.comsciway.netscdailygazette.comlinktr.eefitsnews.comorangeburgcounty.orgsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgwtoc.comaol.comfoxnews.comwrdw.comcatholicvote.orgwyff4.comgovernor.sc.govallsides.comscpolicycouncil.orgcongress.govcommonsnews.orgballotready.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgfec.govscott.senate.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgnga.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orglgraham.senate.govgovinfo.govwhitehouse.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates eliminating South Carolina’s state income tax, advancing bold tax-cutting reforms for families and small businesses, and implementing government-efficiency measures to reduce spending and remove regulations. She proposes creating a state Department of Government Efficiency to cut waste and accelerate tax-rate reductions. These positions emphasize major tax reduction and smaller government approaches.
Healthcare
Opposes expanding Medicaid due to concerns about long-term state costs and the need for a state match, arguing that accepting more federal funds would require shifting resources from other state priorities. Emphasizes fiscal constraints and a business-oriented approach to managing healthcare-related budgets and benefits. No campaign position endorsing a public option or Medicare-for-All was found.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports enforcement-first immigration policies, including building state detention capacity for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes and cooperating with federal deportation efforts. She has proposed a state facility—'Palmetto Pen'—to detain violent undocumented immigrants and has pledged to enforce President Trump’s immigration agenda. Her public statements emphasize removing dangerous undocumented immigrants from communities and expanding tools for law enforcement to hold and deport them.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Pamela Evette identifies as pro‑life, says life begins at conception, supports strong abortion restrictions in South Carolina, and has backed state laws limiting abortion and banning taxpayer‑funded abortions. She has defended the state’s fetal heartbeat law and stated she will work to protect the unborn and restrict abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Supports an all-of-the-above energy approach that includes fossil fuels, opposes aggressive green-energy mandates and regulation, and has supported state measures to expand power generation and remove regulations hindering energy production. Emphasizes reliability and affordability of energy and criticizes policies she links to unreliable/expensive power.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports constitutional carry and robust Second Amendment protections, opposes efforts to weaken gun rights, and emphasizes strong support for law enforcement and public safety. Advocates keeping law-abiding citizens armed while resisting regulatory measures from political opponents.
Latest Insights
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 17, 2026
Pamela Evette has advanced to the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial runoff and led the first round with 28.86% of the vote. She is now facing Attorney General Alan Wilson in the June 23 runoff, with early voting underway and a debate scheduled ahead of the vote. The race has already turned sharp, with both sides trading attacks and outside endorsements coming in, including Ted Cruz backing Wilson.
scstatehouse.gov+41
Articles
L5Live 5 News WCSC23 hours ago
HOW TO WATCH: Evette, Wilson to debate before SC runoff election
Neutral
WWIS103 days ago
Rep. Ralph Norman to announce endorsement in South Carolina governor’s race
Neutral
CPCharleston Post and Courier3 days ago
SC’s 2026 primary for governor was expensive. It’s not over.
Positive
NNewsmax4 days ago
Cruz Breaks With Trump in Key GOP Governor Races
Neutral
Polls
Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
17.2%
18.8%
16.8%
12.8%
12.2%
A. Wilson
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
South Carolina Republican Governor primary: 1st place (1st round)
Endorsers of Pamela Evette for South Carolina Republican Governor primary: 1st place (1st round)
Henry McMaster
Elected official
Henry McMaster endorsed Pamela Evette for South Carolina governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising