President Donald Trump had a significant influence on South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial runoff, despite not being on the ballot. The candidate he endorsed, state Attorney General Alan Wilson, won the GOP nomination, defeating Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
The runoff was seen as a test of Trump's grip on the GOP and the power of his endorsements. Interestingly, Trump had endorsed both Wilson and Evette, making it a unique situation where he couldn't lose.
Evette had initially received Trump's endorsement and won the top spot in a crowded primary field. However, Wilson, who was second in the primary, gained momentum and eventually secured Trump's additional endorsement.
The runoff between Evette and Wilson became heated, with both candidates launching personal attacks and accusations. Wilson highlighted his experience as a combat veteran, prosecutor, and attorney general, while Evette positioned herself as an outsider and a Trump-endorsed businesswoman.
Wilson's campaign was bolstered by endorsements from Sen. Ted Cruz and other conservative figures. Cruz stated that he supports the strongest conservative who can win, and he believes Wilson is that candidate.
The outcome of the runoff sets up a general election matchup between Wilson and Democratic nominee Jermaine Johnson. Given the state's history of voting for Republican governors, Wilson is considered the clear favorite.
This election is part of a larger trend of Trump-endorsed candidates performing well in GOP primaries. Trump's endorsement power has been on display in recent months, with his candidates winning in several key showdowns.
However, Trump's endorsement streak was snapped in a recent Iowa congressional primary, where his endorsed candidate, Rep. Randy Feenstra, lost to a businessman and former political strategist.
Despite that setback, Trump rebounded with wins in other key races, including a Senate primary in South Carolina and a gubernatorial primary in Georgia.
The impact of Trump's endorsements on the midterm elections remains to be seen. His ability to influence the outcomes of key races could play a significant role in determining the balance of power in Washington.
