Alan Wilson Wins SC Governor Runoff; Paxton-Talarico Tied in Texas | GOP Digest June 24, 2026
Attorney General Alan Wilson captured the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial nomination, closing out a runoff President Trump had dual-endorsed. In Texas, a new University of Texas poll shows Ken Paxton edging James Talarico 43%-42% as Republicans defend their Senate majority.
Alan Wilson wins the Republican runoff:
State Attorney General Alan Wilson defeated Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to claim the GOP nomination for governor, with Evette conceding. President Donald Trump had endorsed both finalists, and the result keeps the open seat firmly in Republican hands heading to November.
New poll shows Ken Paxton edging ahead:
A University of Texas / Texas Politics Project survey released Tuesday puts Paxton at 43% to Democrat James Talarico's 42% — a one-point race within the 3.5-point margin of error. Paxton has consolidated Republican voters who backed other candidates in the bruising primary, erasing an eight-point April deficit.
Dan Cox renominated:
Dan Cox won the Republican nomination for Maryland governor for a second consecutive cycle, setting up a rematch-era challenge to Democratic Gov. Wes Moore in November.
Trump-backed Republicans advance in New York and Utah:
Trump-endorsed Republicans prevailed in competitive contests, including a self-funding outsider in a New York House race and incumbents in Utah who turned back primary challenges, underscoring the President's continued grip on GOP primary electorates.
Open seat stays competitive:
Forecasters continue to rate the race for retiring Sen. Thom Tillis's seat as a Democratic-lean, with Republican Michael Whatley trailing Democrat Roy Cooper in polling averages — a top GOP defensive priority for the fall.
Senate Battleground Tracker
| State | Republican | Democrat | R% | D% | Spread | Pollster |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Ken Paxton | James Talarico | 43% | 42% | R +1 | UT / Texas Politics Project |
On the Record
"MAGA and America First all the way!"
— Donald Trump, on dual-endorsing both finalists in the South Carolina governor's runoff, June 2026
Sources
Inbox.GOP · Political Wire — Daily Republican intelligence digest published every weekday morning.