South Carolina Republicans Hold Primary Elections for Governor and Senate

South Carolina voters on Tuesday narrowed the Republican fields for governor and U.S. Senate in primaries that test whether endorsements can deliver outright victories. Republicans have won every statewide race in the state for decades.

Governor's Race Lt. Gov.

Pamela Evette received an endorsement and the backing of outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster. She faces U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman, and businessman Rom Reddy. Evette has featured images of herself with the endorser in campaign materials. The primary will decide whether she wins the nomination outright or advances to a June 23 runoff.

Mace received an endorsement for her congressional reelection in 2024 despite her past criticism of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol events. Norman supported the endorser during his first term but backed former Gov. Nikki Haley in 2024. Reddy has self-funded his campaign and emphasized his lack of political experience.

Senate Race Sen. Lindsey Graham is seeking a fifth term and holds an endorsement.

He faces Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, who has campaigned as an "America First" candidate. The endorser has called Lynch a "lunatic" and a "disaster for the Republican Party" on social media. Graham has supported the decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites last year and has said he speaks regularly with the endorser about the ongoing conflict.

Democratic candidates for governor include State Rep.

Jermaine Johnson, payday loan company founder Billy Webster, and attorney Mullins McLeod. In the Senate race, physician Annie Andrews and funeral home owner Brandon Brown are competing. Democrats have not won the governor's office or a Senate seat in South Carolina since the early 2000s.

Graham won his last election by 10 points in 2020, and McMaster won by nearly 18 points in 2022.