Latest news with #PamelaEvette
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Evette gains support of Medal of Honor recipient, Wilson campaign endorsed by 22 sheriffs
About two dozen South Carolina sheriffs endorsed Attorney General Alan Wilson's campaign for governor, while Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette gained the support of a Medal of Honor recipient. Several Upstate sheriffs, including Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis, Pickens County Sheriff Tommy Blankenship, and Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, voiced their support for Wilson in the 2026 Republican primary, according to his campaign. The group of 22 sheriffs issued a joint statement saying that Wilson has made it easier for law enforcement to protect South Carolina families. 'His proven record of cracking down on drug trafficking, protecting women and children, and leading the charge on judicial and victims services reform speaks for itself,' the statement said. 'Alan Wilson will be a governor who fights for families, upholds the rule of law and will keep South Carolina safe.' Wilson made support for law enforcement and public safety a focal point of his initial campaign speech, which he delivered at a Lexington restaurant on June 23. He talked about how reforming the state's domestic violence laws, fighting drug trafficking and hiring more victims' advocates have been priorities of his since he was elected attorney general in November 2010. More: Attorney general announces run for governor of South Carolina: 'Beginning of a new fight' Blankenship issued a separate statement applauding the attorney general's efforts to combat illegal immigration and the fentanyl crisis. Matthew Goins, the communication director of Evette's campaign, responded to the sheriff's endorsements of Wilson in a statement that reaffirmed Evette's support of law enforcement. "Pamela has always backed the blue. She's worked hand-in glove with Gov. McMaster to ensure they have the pay, resources, and support they deserve," Goins said. "She looks forward to working with law enforcement from across the state to keep families safe as the next governor of South Carolina." More: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette makes it official and enters 2026 race for South Carolina governor Evette's campaign posted a YouTube video on July 22 with Medal of Honor recipient and retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston offering his endorsement for the lieutenant governor's campaign. "It is absolutely my pleasure to recommend Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette to be our next governor," Livingston said. "She will be a real tribute to this state and bring her great leadership and great vision to the people of South Carolina." The campaign team for Josh Kimbrell, current state senator and gubernatorial candidate, did not respond to a request for comment about the endorsements. Two state Republican lawmakers — Sen. Matt Leber (R-Charleston) and Rep. David Martin (R-York) — publicly endorsed Kimbrell's campaign at its kick-off event in Inman on June 28. Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina candidates for governor endorsed by veteran, sheriffs Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette launches 2026 gubernatorial bid, touts Trump ties
GREENVILLE, S.C. — South Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has kicked off her bid for governor in 2026, highlighting several years of what she considers pushing outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster's agenda, and an already-formed connection with President Donald Trump. Evette, first elected as McMaster's running mate in 2018, spoke to hundreds of supporters Monday evening shortly after she released a short video confirming her run, news outlets reported.
Associated Press
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette launches 2026 gubernatorial bid, touts Trump ties
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has kicked off her bid for governor in 2026, highlighting several years of what she considers pushing outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster's agenda, and an already-formed connection with President Donald Trump. Evette, first elected as McMaster's running mate in 2018, spoke to hundreds of supporters Monday evening shortly after she released a short video confirming her run, news outlets reported. 'I stand before you as a mother, a conservative businesswoman and a fighter who is ready on day one to continue that conservative legacy as your next governor,' Evette said in her speech in Greenville. The announcement video included earlier footage of Evette being praised by McMaster, who is term-limited from seeking reelection, and by Trump, for whom Evette has spoken at his rallies. 'With President Trump back in the White House, South Carolina needs a governor who has his trust, a governor who doesn't need to build a relationship, a governor who can pick up the phone and get things done for South Carolina, because that relationship already exists,' Evette told supporters. Four-term Attorney General Alan Wilson and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell have already entered the race for the Republican nomination. Others, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, are expected to join them. An endorsement by Trump, who won South Carolina's electoral votes in 2024 by 18 percentage points, could go a long way toward winning the primary, which isn't until next June. South Carolina hasn't had a Democratic governor in more than 20 years. The general election is in November 2026. Evette entered Republican politics as a businessperson with no previous political experience — a trained accountant who cofounded a payroll, human resources and benefits firm with her husband. Evette on Monday promoted a record while working with McMaster that included supporting law enforcement, tightening state immigration policies and backing abortion restrictions. She also pointed to barring transgender women from participating in women's sports. She said her top priorities as governor would include expanding school choice, eliminating income taxes and enforcing Trump's immigration agenda. Evette also vowed in her speech to eliminate 10 regulations for every new one created and to fight 'woke corporations' on the 'radical left' that she said were trying to 'transform our state.' 'I'll follow the playbook that made South Carolina so successful,' Evette said. Evette, from Travelers Rest, is the state's first female Republican lieutenant governor. She and McMaster were the first team ticket jointly elected in state history after a change in the law.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette joins race for South Carolina governor. 5 things to know
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is officially in the GOP race for South Carolina governor after saying for several months she was seriously considering a run to be the state's top executive. She announced her bid Monday afternoon with a video posted on social media. Evette, an Upstate Republican, now joins state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, and Attorney General Alan Wilson, a Lexington County Republican, who have already announced bids for governor. Gov. Henry McMaster cannot run for reelection in 2026. 'For over six years, I haven't been a typical Lieutenant Governor who sits on the sidelines. I've been Gov. McMaster's partner, his right hand, in making South Carolina the conservative success story of America,' Evette said. Evette was tapped to be McMaster's running mate in 2018 after the state constitution was changed for the governor and lieutenant governor to run together as a ticket. She earns $46,000 as lieutenant governor and now seeks an office that pays $106,000 a year. She lives in Traveler's Rest, and is originally from Ohio. She is the first Republican female lieutenant governor. Evette started Quality Business Solutions Inc. (QBS), a payroll, human resources and benefits services firm headquartered in Travelers Rest. Her husband, David, now serves as president of QBS, which is now a division of Vensure HR, a provider of HR services based in Arizona. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Cleveland State University. Pamela and David Evette have three children. She has been McMaster's second-in-command since 2019 when she was sworn-in as lieutenant governor. With McMaster unable to run for reelection in 2026, Evette is a logical successor. 'It makes sense for the lieutenant governor to run because she has a record of statewide service to run on, and having served for nearly eight years and visited much of the state, she has a story to tell of people she's met and challenges she wants to tackle,' said Rob Godfrey, a South Carolina Republican operative who is not working for any campaign this cycle. McMaster has an 66% approval rating in the state among Republicans, according to a Winthrop University Poll released in May. 'I think voters in South Carolina are generally happy about the how Gov. McMaster has done. He's our longest serving governor in state history,' said Alex Stroman, a former S.C. GOP executive director, who is not working for any campaign this cycle. 'Being seen as the third term — kind of maybe a Ronald Reagan, George Bush type of situation — is a reason for running.' Evette was an early backer of Trump's 2024 reelection campaign, standing alongside the president in January 2023 when he rolled out his first set of endorsements in the Palmetto State during an event at the South Carolina State House. Since then, she has been consistently speaking about the work of the Trump administration. During remarks in front of the Lexington County Republican Party in June, Evette spoke about Trump's promises to address immigration issues and close the country's borders. 'I've traveled the country as a surrogate, I've endorsed him at every opportunity, and I have never wavered in my support for the America First movement. Not for one single day,' Evette said in her 1,700-word speech, which included Trump's name 14 times. 'I didn't wait to see how the political winds would blow to endorse him. I didn't attack him on social media and then flip-flop because I needed to save my political career,' Evette added in a veiled shot at U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican considering her own bid for governor. Evette can try to portray herself as a quasi-incumbent by saying she is part of the state's progress during McMaster's time as governor that has included economic growth. 'She's worked closely with Gov. McMaster, and gets the advantage of being able to run as a part of a successful administration,' Godfrey said. She also has the ability to use the office and its official events to indirectly help her campaign. Evette serves as another spokeswoman for the governor's office. Often when appearing with governor, Evette stands directly behind McMaster's shoulder to ensure she is in the camera frame. Also Evette, 57, came onto the public scene in 2018 as McMaster's running mate and isn't a lifelong politician. 'She has a case to make as a business owner, and so I think that is really something, that that really can be beneficial to to her,' Stroman said. Stroman also said Evette has a good ability to work a room. 'I think she has a raw talent unlike I've seen in the state in a long time,' Stroman said. 'She's very good at making connections that are genuine, and unlike that I've seen really from anybody else in the race.' She also comes from the Upstate, a vote-rich part of the state where the GOP dominates. The experience building QBS also may come in handy. 'She has a business background,' Godfrey said. 'It's an an experience that comes from outside government and can allow her to put a fresh set of eyes on an office and think about unique ways to run it.' Evette has lower name recognition than other perceived front-runners, Wilson and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, if she decides to run for governor. The job of lieutenant governor also has no defined role other than becoming the chief executive if the governor was unable to complete his term. A Winthrop University poll found 38% of Republican voters were familiar with her, a mark lower than Mace and Wilson. Evette also may come from the Upstate, but one of the largest county GOP parties also have may not support her. Evette was not selected as a delegate to the State GOP Convention by Greenville County's GOP. She also wasn't a speaker at that county's GOP convention. 'I think it's improved since she was picked, (in the last) six years, but the name ID, I think it's going to be a challenge,' Stroman said. So she will have to spend resources to introduce herself. Godrey said Evette will have to make sure she can raise enough money for her own campaign to give herself a platform to share her story. And she'll have to do it without being on a ticket with McMaster. 'You have to introduce yourself to the state in a new way, not just as a part of an administration or as an office holder who has been in one job for the last eight years, but as someone who has the vision to be the state's chief executive,' Godfrey said.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette makes it official and enters 2026 race for South Carolina governor
The lieutenant governor of South Carolina walked through her vision for the Palmetto State as an official candidate for the 2026 governor's race before a Greenville crowd on July 14. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, a native of Travelers Rest, officially announced her campaign for governor on social media, closing out a campaign video with the tag "Pamela Evette for Governor." She made the in-person announcement at The Smokestack at Judson Mill event hall, which was filled with supporters. More: Upstate lawmaker plans to 'bring people together' in race for SC governor, 'greatest state' Former 7th Judicial Circuit prosecutor and politician Karen Floyd delivered the first address of the night and painted Evette as a leader, public servant, and businesswoman. 'I looked at this woman and realized she is a true leader,' Floyd said. "Don't ever be fooled by her grace, her charm, her beauty, or elegance. This woman is a strong woman." Fellow politicians and family members took the stage before Evette and applauded her character, values, and service as lieutenant governor before she finally took the stage and made her announcement – which was met with cheer and applause from a packed hall. "As your lieutenant governor, I've stood beside Gov. Henry McMaster ready to fight for South Carolina's conservative values at every turn," Evette said. "Today is day one of my campaign for governor." Evette was first elected to serve alongside McMaster in November 2018. She took the event stage at 6 p.m. and touted the duo's fight to restrict abortion rights and expand access to firearms. She also focused much of her speech on her support for President Donald Trump, who took office for a second term in January. 'I've fully supported every one of President Trump's campaigns,' Evette said. 'With President Trump back in the White House, South Carolina needs a governor who has earned his trust." She also addressed her priorities for day one in office, which include eliminating the state income tax, creating a South Carolina department of government efficiency, and rolling back government regulatory agencies. 'As governor, you won't wonder what you're getting,' Evette said. 'We will show America how it's done. We will be the example other states follow.' State Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R-Spartanburg) and Attorney General Alan Wilson have already launched campaigns for governor. State Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D-Richland) assembled an exploratory committee and said he also is considering joining the race. A survey conducted by the Trafalger Group of over 1,000 Republican voters earlier this year found that 31.5% of poll respondents support Evette's campaign for governor. Roughly 29% of respondents support Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) and 28% support Wilson, according to the survey. "My friends, elections are about choices, and the choice is clear," Evette said. Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette joins 2026 governor's race
