SC GOP backs Trump-favored lawmakers, Maine Dems rally behind progressive

Tuesday evening’s primary contests saw Trump-aligned candidates finish strong in the South Carolina Republican primaries while Democrats advanced a progressive outsider in Maine.

Relatively few of the major contests saw results that differed significantly from pre-election polling, though the outcome of the South Carolina gubernatorial primary suggested that Trump’s endorsement played a modest role in the result.

The Palmetto state was host to a crowded primary for governor, a contest that is set for a runoff after no candidate cleared the necessary threshold. The Trump-endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R-S.C., finished first, while state Attorney General Alan Wilson finished close on her trail. Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Nancy Mace, R-S.C., finished third and fifth, respectively. Candidate Rom Reddy finished fourth.

As of press time, Evette led with 29.3% to Wilson’s 25.9%. Norman took 16.8%, while Reddy earned 14.6% and Mace took 11.8%.

Somewhat unexpected was Mace’s fifth-place finish. The firebrand congresswoman had positioned herself as a Trump-aligned candidate and her social media antics attracted considerable attention, though ultimately, voters opted for the two candidates with state executive branch experience to advance. Mace, for her part, appeared to signal that she would remain in public life and possibly seek another office, though she did not elaborate on future plans.

On the Senate side, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., easily defeated challenger Mark Lynch, who had positioned himself as a critic of Graham’s hawkish foreign policy. Lynch had received a boost after fellow Republican Paul Dans dropped out and endorsed him. Dans received the endorsement of Tucker Carlson, which Trump suggested doomed his campaign.

In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, unsurprisingly claimed her party nomination after running unopposed. But she will face an unconventional challenger in the form of Graham Platner, who triumphed over Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, for the Democratic nomination. The GOP’s Senate Leadership Fund reacted to the Democratic results, by saying “the stakes for Mainers this fall could not be higher.”

“While Senator Susan Collins has demonstrated strong character, steady leadership, and unmatched effectiveness, Graham Platner is a dangerous deviant who cannot be trusted to represent the Pine Tree State,” SLF continued.

The contest for the governor’s mansion will likely see former assistant Secretary of State Robert Charles face off against a Democratic candidate. Charles positioned himself as a supporter of President Donald Trump’s immigration and drug crackdown, but the president did not issue an endorsement in that primary. The Associated Press did not call either party primary race as of press time, though Charles led by 20 points in the Republican primary. 

The Democratic primary, however, was substantially closer, with Troy Dale Jackson leading with 25.8% to Nirav Shah's 23.0%. Hannah Pingree was in third with 22.5%, while Secretary of State Shenna Bellows trailed with 21.0%.

Overall, the night saw no major upsets and Trump’s preferred candidates emerged on top in their races. Notably, the narrow margins in the South Carolina gubernatorial race seem to suggest that the Trump-backed Evette is far from a lock to win the runoff.

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