Two new polls reveal South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary is intensifying as Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson compete to succeed outgoing Governor Henry McMaster.
The latest Trafalgar Group survey conducted May 2–5 among likely Republican primary voters found Evette with 25.2% support, narrowly ahead of Wilson’s 23.1%, a statistical tie. Representative Ralph Norman trailed at 19.6%, while Representative Nancy Mace held 15.2%.
Simultaneously, RealClearPolling averages show Evette and Wilson effectively tied at 20% each, underscoring the race’s volatility with just weeks before voting begins on June 9.
South Carolina remains a reliably Republican state in statewide elections, and political analysts widely anticipate the GOP nominee will dominate the November general election.
Evette, who has served as McMaster’s lieutenant governor since 2019, campaigned on continuing the current administration’s conservative economic agenda while emphasizing her close ties to both McMaster and President Donald Trump. McMaster formally endorsed Evette earlier this year, calling her best positioned to advance South Carolina’s growth and conservative policies.
Wilson, a four-term attorney general, built his campaign around national conservative legal issues and law-and-order themes, aligning with Trump-era policies. He is the son of Rep. Joe Wilson, the longtime popular Republican congressman from South Carolina.
The broader Republican field remains crowded, with Norman and Mace attracting significant support and fundraising despite trailing Evette and Wilson in recent polls. Multiple surveys over recent months have shown fluctuating support among the four leading candidates, indicating the race could shift substantially in its closing weeks.
South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary is scheduled for June 9, with a runoff election expected two weeks later if no candidate secures a majority of the vote. The general election will be held on November 3.
