Nancy Mace Trails in South Carolina Republican Gubernatorial Primary Ahead of Election Day
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, endorsed by President Trump, and Attorney General Alan Wilson advanced to a June 23 Republican gubernatorial runoff after neither cleared 50% in Tuesday's primary, with Evette taking roughly 29% and Wilson 26%. Rep. Nancy Mace, who had sought Trump's endorsement, finished a distant fifth with about 12% of the vote, attributing her loss to her support for releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. The result adds to a pattern of Trump-aligned primary victories while also raising questions about the limits of his endorsement power after a recent loss in Iowa.
In South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial primary on Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette — who secured a late endorsement from President Donald Trump — led the field with approximately 29% of the vote, followed by state Attorney General Alan Wilson at 26%. Because no candidate surpassed the 50% threshold required to win outright, Evette and Wilson will face each other in a runoff on June 23. Rep. Nancy Mace, who had been considered a potential Trump endorsee earlier in the race, finished fifth with roughly 12%, behind Rep. Ralph Norman (16%) and businessman Rom Reddy (15%). Mace conceded shortly after polls closed and endorsed Wilson, framing her loss as the direct consequence of her vote to compel the Justice Department to release Epstein-related files — a position she said cost her Trump's backing. Trump held an election-eve tele-rally for Evette and also backed incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham, who easily won his primary with about 57% of the vote, avoiding a runoff. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson won the gubernatorial primary outright with roughly 59% of the vote and will face the Republican runoff winner in November, though the GOP nominee is heavily favored in the solidly red state. The South Carolina results come one week after Trump's endorsed candidate lost Iowa's gubernatorial primary, adding nuance to assessments of his endorsement strength heading into the broader 2026 election cycle.
What's missing
It remains unclear whether Trump's White House directly communicated to Mace or other candidates that supporting the Epstein file release would cost them his endorsement, or whether the endorsement decision was driven by other factors — Trump has not publicly confirmed Mace's account of his reasoning. The runoff dynamics between Evette and Wilson, including how Mace's endorsement of Wilson and any further Trump involvement may shift the outcome, are also unresolved.
How coverage differed
Right-leaning outlets such as Fox News and the Daily Wire emphasized Trump's endorsement power and framed Evette's first-place finish as a sign of his continued clout, while center and left-leaning outlets like NPR, The Guardian, and the Washington Post gave more weight to Mace's narrative about the Epstein files and the broader implications for intra-GOP dissent. Fox News also devoted significant attention to the Iowa loss as a potential crack in Trump's endorsement record, framing the South Carolina result as an incomplete victory, whereas several left-leaning outlets focused more on Mace's political downfall and what it signals about the cost of defying Trump.
What different sources said
- MediaiteCenter
Nancy Mace Says Election Loss Means ‘Revenge’ Against Trump: ‘I’ll Be Adding to the Unemployment Number’
- PBS NewsHourLeft
Nancy Mace's political career is up in the air after finishing last in South Carolina primary
- Washington TimesRight
Epstein files crusade takes down Nancy Mace
- The HillCenter
Mace 'headed back to private sector' after congressional term ends
- Fox NewsRight
MORNING GLORY: The GOP’s choice in 2028 — more of MAGA or a reversion to the mean?
- Washington ExaminerRight
These Republicans keep undermining Trump. This week proves it
- NewsweekCenter
South Carolina Governor Race: Nancy Mace Final Polls and Odds
- The IndependentLeft
Nancy Mace’s favorite congressional target Sarah McBride gloats over her 5th place finish in SC governor primary
- NBC NewsLeft
Republicans who pushed Epstein files release see political careers upended by Trump
- ForbesCenter
Nancy Mace Loses South Carolina Governor Primary After Trump Endorsement Snub
- Roll CallCenter
Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman lose bids for governor in South Carolina
- New York PostRight
Nancy Mace gets trounced in South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary after Trump endorsement snub
- WaPo PoliticsLeft
Once a rising star, Nancy Mace suffers resounding defeat in governor’s race
- AP NewsCenter
Nancy Mace’s unpredictable career is up in the air after finishing last in South Carolina primary
- BreitbartFar Right
Poll: Trump-Backed Byron Donalds Leads Florida Gubernatorial Primary by 46 Points
Mace Defeat Heralds an Exodus of Rabble-Rousers From Congress
- NPR NewsLeft
Evette, backed by Trump, and Wilson, a Trump supporter, head to S.C. governor runoff
- The Guardian USLeft
Trump-backed Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson head to runoff in South Carolina GOP governor race
- CBS NewsCenter
Pamela Evett, Alan Wilson advance to runoff in crowded South Carolina primary, CBS News projects
- Daily WireRight
Trump-Backed Candidate Advances In South Carolina Governor Primary
- ABC NewsCenter
Nevada gubernatorial race shapes up as bellwether for GOP heading into 2028
- The Nevada IndependentCenter
15 big takeaways from Nevada's 2026 primary elections
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