South Carolina governor weighs in on contentious gubernatorial primary

Evette is running against state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman.

By Ben Whedon

Published: February 12, 2026 9:31am

Gov. Henry McMaster, R-S.C., on Thursday endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R, for the GOP nomination for governor of the Palmetto State.

The Republican primary currently features a crowded field full of the state's top-level leaders. Evette is running against state Attorney General Alan Wilson and Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman.

"Pamela Evette stood with me from day one – eight years ago – helping me bring the America First agenda home to South Carolina. Now, I’m proud to endorse Pamela Evette to be our next governor," McMaster said, according to The Hill.

Evette currently leads the field by an average 1.2%, according to RealClearPolitics. She boasts 19.5% support.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.