Polling Average
20%15%10%5%0%
17.2%
16.8%
12.8%
12.2%
South Carolina Republican Governor nominee?
$3.0M
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
BackgroundPolitician
EducationCleveland State University — B.S. (1989)
Notable personal detailsPamela Sue Evette is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the 93rd Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, having taken office on 2019-01-09 after being elected on 2018-11-06. She founded Quality Business Solutions, Inc. (QBS), a payroll, human resources, and benefits services firm based in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, and previously worked as an accountant and executive in business. She earned a business degree from Cleveland State University and has been active in statewide initiatives and civic efforts during her tenure as lieutenant governor.
SourcesShowHide
governor.sc.govscstatehouse.govnlga.usen.wikipedia.orgpamelaevette.comfoxcarolina.comes.wikipedia.orgsc.govthestate.comsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgscdailygazette.comapnews.comfitsnews.comcommons.wikimedia.orgwtoc.comaol.comfoxnews.comwrdw.comcatholicvote.orgwyff4.comallsides.comscpolicycouncil.orgcongress.govcommonsnews.orgnytimes.comms.nowthehill.comcounton2.comcourthousenews.comdemocracydocket.comwbtv.compostandcourier.comnbcnews.comabcnews4.comfacebook.comwistv.cominstagram.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgballotready.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgnga.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgscott.senate.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgupload.wikimedia.orgfec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orggovinfo.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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Pamela Evette lost the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial runoff to Attorney General Alan Wilson, who won the nomination by a wide margin and will advance to the general election. The runoff followed a June 9 primary in which Evette and Wilson were the top two finishers, and both had been endorsed by President Trump. In the days before the vote, the race drew debate, polling that favored Wilson, and sharp attacks between the campaigns.
governor.sc.gov+50
Articles
CPCharleston Post and Courier20 days ago
Wilson wins runoff; body identified; Kiki’s closes location
Negative
TNThe New York Times24 days ago
Alan Wilson Wins Republican Primary for South Carolina Governor
Negative
NNewsweek24 days ago
Alan Wilson's Chances Against Pamela Evette in GOP Runoff: Poll
Negative
GNGreenville News25 days ago
2026 South Carolina runoff live coverage of elections today, June 23
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising