Alan Wilson won the Republican primary runoff for governor of South Carolina on Tuesday. The victory positions him as the party’s nominee for the general election.
The runoff was one of the few races this year where both candidates received an endorsement from President Trump. Trump’s picks have had mixed results in governor’s contests nationwide.
Wilson, the state’s attorney general, secured the nomination after a competitive primary campaign. His opponent conceded the race shortly after polls closed.
The race drew national attention due to the dual Trump endorsements. Political analysts viewed the outcome as a test of the president’s influence in state-level elections.
Wilson now faces the Democratic nominee in the November general election. The general election will determine control of the governor’s office in a key southern state.
The contest highlighted divisions within the state’s Republican Party. Wilson ran on a platform of conservative values and economic growth.
South Carolina remains a reliably red state in presidential elections. Wilson is expected to be a strong candidate in the fall campaign.
The winner of the general election will serve a four-year term as governor. The seat is open due to term limits on the current officeholder.
