Ted Cruz

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s endorsement of Attorney General Alan Wilson for South Carolina governor over Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette won’t die down.

After Cruz backed Wilson last weekend, Evette turned the tables days later, accusing Cruz of attacking President Donald Trump over the Iran war settlement deal and challenging Wilson to condemn those attacks.

She also demanded that a pro-Cruz super PAC stop running ads on Wilson’s behalf in the Upstate ahead of the June 23 runoff.

"If he won't do that, South Carolina will see him for the empty-suited, career politician and Never Trumper that he truly is," Evette, who has Trump’s endorsement, wrote on social media.

Wilson's campaign declined to engage on the premise.

"No, Ted Cruz is not a never-Trumper," Wilson spokesperson Claire Brady said.

Brady noted that Evette held a telephone town hall with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., two days before the June 9 primary. Graham, like Cruz, once sharply criticized Trump and ran against him long before becoming an ally.

"Does she think Lindsey Graham is a never-Trumper?" Brady asked.

The exchange offered another reminder that, in a runoff shaped heavily by competing claims of loyalty to Trump, even endorsements have become fodder for attack.

Cruz told The Hill on Wednesday he had concerns with elements of Trump’s settlement to end the war with Iran that includes lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports while also providing the country with access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund.

“History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea,” Cruz said. “I think the president is receiving some very poor advice on this deal.”

36,000 early voters and counting

Early voting ahead of the June 23rd runoffs is off to a brisk start.

The state Election Commission said 36,838 ballots were cast on the first day of runoff voting June 17.

Greenville County led the state with 4,406 votes cast, followed by Charleston (3,370); Horry (3,014); Berkeley (2,763); and Spartanburg (2,626).

With only two days of early voting scheduled before Tuesday’s vote — and no early voting being held June 19 because of the Juneteenth holiday — final early-vote totals should come into focus soon.

Lexington GOP not neutral

Typically, local Republican parties avoid taking sides in contested primaries.

Not this season in ruby red Lexington County.

After gathering to watch the final gubernatorial debate and discuss the runoff campaigns, members of the Lexington GOP voted to endorse Alan Wilson for governor and 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo for attorney general.

"While some county parties choose not to endorse during primary elections, LCRP has made many endorsements over the years when members believe doing so serves Republican voters," Chairman Mark Weber said in an emailed statement.

Weber noted that the party endorsed Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential primary and argued that, because Republicans dominate Lexington County politics, primary endorsements often carry more significance than general election endorsements.

Final lap

Here’s a look at some of the stops that candidates will make in the final days before Tuesday’s runoff elections, according to available schedules.

Pamela Evette

Friday, June 19

7:45 a.m. — Road to the Runoff Breakfast at The City Club of Greenville hosted by 4th District Republican Club and S.C. Family Caucus

6:30 p.m. — Runoff forum at Faith Fellowship (Pendleton)

Saturday, June 20

2 p.m. — Bikers for Trump rally at The Beaver Bar in Murrells Inlet.

Alan Wilson

Friday, June 19

7:45 a.m. — Road to the Runoff Breakfast at The City Club of Greenville

2 p.m. — Meet-and-greet at Farmhouse Deli (Pickens)

5:30 p.m. — Retail stop at The Smokin' Pig (Pendleton)

6:30 p.m. — Runoff forum at Faith Fellowship (Pendleton).

Do Democrats have a chance in 1st District?

South Carolina's open 1st Congressional District just got a little more competitive in the eyes of the national press corps.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report moved the Charleston-anchored coastal seat from "Strong Republican" to "Likely Republican," a reflection of the district's recent history and the absence of an incumbent on the ballot. (Incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace says she is returning to the private sector after her failed run for governor).

“Despite recent Republican wins on redistricting, Democrats remain in a strong position to regain control of the House, with the battlefield continuing to shift in their favor as the political environment further deteriorates for the GOP," the report’s U.S. House Editor Erin Covey wrote in her analysis.

The Democratic race features Nancy Lacore, the former chief of the Navy Reserve, and Coast Guard veteran and attorney Mac Deford.

The Republicans are Charleston County Council member Jenny Costa Honeycutt and state Rep. Mark Smith, R-Daniel Island.

Republicans and Democrats will settle their nominations in June 23 runoffs.

Endorsements

GOP gubernatorial candidate Alan Wilson made significant endorsement pickups from three Republicans who fell short in their 1st District runs for Congress.

Dr. Sam McCown, the third-place finisher, endorsed Wilson for governor, calling the attorney general a “national leader in combating human trafficking, prosecuting child predators, and standing up for parents and patients.”