South Carolina primaries set governor runoff after Mace loss

South Carolina’s June 9 primaries reshaped the governor race after Rep. Nancy Mace failed to advance, sending Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson to a runoff. Republicans and Democrats also advanced in key Senate and House races, with most

When South Carolina voters went to the polls on June 9. the biggest shock wasn’t in who advanced—it was in who didn’t. Rep. Nancy Mace fell short of winning the Republican nomination for governor. a loss that ended her bid just as a Trump-endorsed field pushed forward and reshaped the momentum in the state’s election cycle.

Mace’s exit came as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. backed by President Donald Trump. and state Attorney General Alan Wilson secured enough votes to advance to a runoff over Mace. The contest also carried a sharp personal and political contrast: Mace pointed to her push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files as a reason the president did not back her campaign.

The governor race unfolded inside a wider national climate where Trump-backed candidates posted strong performances this election cycle, with many of the president’s picks advancing out of the primaries. In South Carolina, Mace’s inability to break through proved the exception.

The fallout carried straight into political debate about credibility and loyalty. Some Republican candidates still openly question Biden’s 2020 win, and questions like that could spill into how future elections are viewed in terms of integrity.

A senior political science lecturer at the University of South Carolina, Chase Meyer, described Mace’s result as striking. “It is surprising that a well-known and well-funded member of Congress cannot even win a county from their home district,” Meyer said.

Meyer’s assessment framed the basic tension behind the numbers: Mace wasn’t just outpaced—she struggled to land the kind of support that often comes naturally to long-recognized incumbents.

June 9 election takeaways: Platner unscathed, Mace unsuccessful

South Carolina Senate primaries delivered their own clarity. Incumbent Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham defeated Mark Lynch, winning 56.8% of the vote with an estimated 99% of votes counted. On the Democratic side, Annie Andrews beat Brandon Brown with 61.5% of the vote, also with an estimated 99% of votes counted.

House races played out as a mix of runoffs and uncontested wins. In District 1. the Republican side advances to a runoff between Jenny Costa Honeycutt. with 22.1% of votes. and Mark Smith. with 18% of votes. with an estimated 99% of votes counted. In the same district on the Democratic side. Nancy Lacore and Mac Deford advanced to a runoff. with Lacore leading at 36.5% and Deford at 28.9%. again with an estimated 99% of votes counted.

District 2 brought another Republican runoff: incumbent Rep. Joe Wilson won with 74.2% of votes, defeating Hamp Redmond, who received 13.9%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. Democrats in District 2 advanced to a runoff as well. with David Robinson II at 41% and Zyon Khalifa at 34%. with an estimated 99% of votes counted.

In District 3, Republican Rep. Sheri Biggs won uncontested. Democrat Eunice Lehmacher won with 53.4% of the vote, defeating Ernest Mackins, who received 46.6%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.

District 4 featured a Republican incumbent win for William Timmons, who defeated David Atchley with 65.8% versus 19.5%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. On the Democratic side, Courtney McClain won uncontested.

District 5 was straightforward for Republicans as Wes Climer won uncontested. Democrats saw a runoff as Mallory Dittmer defeated Andrew Clough, 55.8% to 44.2%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.

In District 6, Republican John Peterson defeated Maurice Washington, 74% to 26%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted. On the Democratic side, incumbent Rep. James Clyburn won with 90.3% against Frederick Goodwin’s 9.7%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.

District 7 ended with uncontested outcomes for both parties. Republican incumbent Russel Fry won uncontested, while Democrat John Vincent also won uncontested.

The governor primary results made Mace’s loss the clear turning point. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who has served since 2017, is term-limited, opening the field. Trump endorsed Evette.

In the Republican governor primary, Pamela Evette received 28.9% of votes and Alan Wilson received 26.2% of votes—both advanced to a runoff with an estimated 99% of votes counted. Nancy Mace received 12.1% and did not advance.

On the Democratic side, Jermaine Johnson won with 59.7% of the vote, defeating Billy Webster, who received 29.7%, with an estimated 99% of votes counted.

As the runoff now looms on the Republican side. the June 9 results leave South Carolina with a sharper choice than the primary alone suggested: Evette and Wilson will argue their case against the backdrop of Mace’s explanation that support for her campaign didn’t arrive. tied to her push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. while Republicans nationwide continue to wrestle with questions about the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

South Carolina primaries Nancy Mace Pamela Evette Alan Wilson Henry McMaster Lindsey Graham Annie Andrews House primaries runoff elections Jeffrey Epstein files Trump endorsed