BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. () — Attorney General of South Carolina, Alan Wilson, has clinched the Republican nomination for governor, defeating Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in Tuesday’s primary runoff. This victory sets the stage for a November face-off against the Democratic contender, Jermaine Johnson.
Wilson’s triumph was resounding across the state, as he secured 218,321 votes, amounting to 68.6%, while Evette garnered 100,123 votes, or 31.4%.
This victory paves the way for South Carolina to welcome its first new governor in over ten years, given that Gov. Henry McMaster is restricted by term limits from seeking reelection.
The runoff also marked a notable change in the Lowcountry, an area where Evette had previously demonstrated strong support during the June primary.
Wilson reversed Evette’s earlier wins in Beaufort and Jasper counties and retained robust backing in Hampton and Colleton counties, contributing significantly to his overwhelming statewide success.
In Beaufort County, one of the region’s most closely watched battlegrounds, Wilson won with 58.7% of the vote, defeating Evette by more than 1,700 votes. The result marked a dramatic turnaround from the primary election, where the margin between the two candidates was only a few hundred votes.
Lowcountry runoff results included:
- Beaufort County: Wilson 58.7%, Evette 41.3%
Speaking to supporters after his victory, Wilson called for unity within the Republican Party heading into the general election.
“You fought hard for her, and you’re to be commended,” Wilson said. “I would ask that you give me the opportunity to fight for you as we go into the general election.”
Evette acknowledged the loss while urging Republicans to rally behind the party’s nominee.
“It’s okay to be disappointed. Lord knows that I am,” Evette told supporters. “But in just a few months there’s going to be a general election. And the choice in that general election is going to be between conservative principles and a Democratic Party that wants the exact opposite for South Carolina.”
Wilson now advances to face Democratic State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, who secured his party’s nomination earlier this month.
The runoff followed a rare dual endorsement from President Donald Trump, who publicly backed both Wilson and Evette during the final days of the campaign.
Republicans have controlled South Carolina’s governor’s office for more than 20 years, making the November election a closely watched contest as both parties look to shape the state’s future leadership.
The general election will be held in November.