South Carolina Governor Runoff 2026: Evette vs Wilson | GOP Digest June 23, 2026

Trump's "Complete and Total Endorsement" reshapes the GOP:

An NPR analysis of more than 1,000 Trump endorsements since 2017 finds the president now moves earlier and safer. The average primary endorsement landed about seven weeks out in 2018; this cycle it is closer to seven months — more than a full year before the general election. Nearly 75% of his endorsements this cycle have gone to incumbents, effectively clearing the field for his picks.

South Carolina governor runoff today; New York votes too:

South Carolina Republicans head to the polls today, June 23, to settle a gubernatorial runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Evette led the June 9 primary with 28.9% to Wilson's 26.1%; Trump endorsed both candidates in the closing days. New York also holds congressional primaries today.

Even Trump picks can stumble:

NPR notes the endorsement is not invincible. Randy Feenstra narrowly lost the Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary on June 2 after a late Trump endorsement, and Burt Jones lost the Georgia gubernatorial runoff this past week despite Trump's backing.

Challengers topple sitting members:

When Republicans cross him, Trump backs the challenger. This cycle his preferred candidates ousted Texas Sen. John Cornyn, Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie.MONEY & MAP — GOP defends a favorable Senate board: Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority and are defending 22 of the 35 seats up on November 3, with the NRSC targeting Jon Ossoff in Georgia and open seats in Michigan and New Hampshire after Democratic retirements. Prediction markets favor GOP Senate retention near 56%, even as the national generic ballot runs roughly D+7 — a midterm headwind Republicans must navigate.