UMVA has learned that President Donald Trump's immense clout over the GOP is facing another test in South Carolina, just one week after his endorsement-winning streak in high-profile Republican primaries was snapped.
The president's preferred choice for the Palmetto State's GOP gubernatorial primary, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, has clinched one of the two tickets in the race for the nomination, but will face a runoff election against South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
The two will now advance to the Republican runoff election in two weeks, in the race to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Henry McMaster, with the winner considered the clear favorite in the general election in the solidly red southeastern state.
Trump's immense clout over the GOP has been on display in recent primaries, with his candidates ousting incumbents he targeted in showdowns in several states, but his 11th-hour endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa wasn't enough to muscle the three-term congressman to victory.
In the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary, major contenders had long been highlighting their support for Trump and his agenda, in hopes of landing his support, with Trump eventually endorsing Evette as an "America First Patriot" and a "WINNER".
However, Trump's endorsement was potentially complicated by a controversy surrounding Evette's rival, Rep. Nancy Mace, who had pushed for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which may have contributed to the president's backing of Evette.
Trump's endorsement also sparked speculation about Evette's potential running mate, with the president suggesting Henry McMaster Jr., the governor's son, but McMaster denied any deal or pressure, and Evette has said she wouldn't name any running mate until after the primary is over.
The younger McMaster ultimately took his name out of contention, saying it was "incredibly humbling" to be mentioned as a possible lieutenant governor candidate, but that "now is simply not the right time".
The winner of the Republican gubernatorial nomination will face a general election against several Democratic candidates, including State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, trial attorney William Mullins McLeod Jr., and businessman Billy Webster.
With the general election expected to be a formality in the solidly red state, the Republican runoff election is set to be a crucial test of Trump's influence over the GOP and the future of the party in South Carolina.
