Trump's influence tested as Alan Wilson wins South Carolina Republican governor primary

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has secured victory in the Republican primary runoff for governor, defeating Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. The closely watched contest was heavily influenced by former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement played a pivotal role in the state's political landscape.

In an unusual move, Trump initially backed Evette but later extended his support to both candidates in the final stretch of the race. This decision turned the primary into a test of Trump's influence within the Republican Party, as proximity to the former president was a central theme for both contenders. Wilson, who has served as attorney general since 2011 and is the son of Congressman Joe Wilson, also garnered support from prominent Republican figures such as Senator Tim Scott and Representative Ted Cruz, bolstering his campaign.

With 68% of the votes counted, Wilson emerged victorious with 68% of the vote compared to Evette's 32%. This outcome reinforces the Republican Party's dominance in South Carolina, a state where the party has held the governorship since 2003. Democrats have not won the gubernatorial race in the state since 1998, and Republicans have consistently dominated federal and most state-level elections in recent decades.

The primary's outcome signals a continued alignment with Trump's influence in the state's Republican politics, despite recent setbacks for some of his endorsed candidates in other state primaries. Wilson's win suggests that his campaign's focus on Trump's backing resonated effectively with the party's base in South Carolina.

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The presidential turn, after recent defeats of other candidates backed by him in state primaries, turned the contest into a test of his influence within the Republican Party, where closeness to Trump was one of the central axes of the campaign.