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by WILL FOLKS
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Despite being on the receiving end of a relentless barrage of negative ads, South Carolina attorney general Alan Wilson has maintained his massive lead over lieutenant governor Pamela Evette in the GOP runoff to replace term-limited, status quo governor Henry McMaster.
According to a new survey conducted for Wilson’s campaign by NPA Polling from June 17-18, 2026, the Palmetto State’s four-term top prosecutor is still backed by 52% of the likely GOP electorate in next week’s head-to-head runoff against Evette, who is supported by 34% of respondents.
The remaining chunk of the electorate – 14% according to the poll (.pdf) – was undecided.
Wilson’s total support from the previous NPA survey – which was conducted from June 10-11, 2026 – is unchanged, although the percentage of respondents who said they were “definitely” voting for him had climbed from 38% to 42%.
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Assuming the survey’s results are accurate, that’s as clear an indicator as you are going to see that the negative blitzkrieg Evette has unleashed on Wilson over the past ten days has failed to knock him off his block.
As for Evette’s numbers, her total support slipped by 2% – although the percentage of voters who said they were “definitely” supporting her climbed from 23% to 28%, per the survey.
What’s particularly interesting about both of these NPA polls is the lingering non-impact of U.S. president Donald Trump‘s endorsement of Evette – which most Palmetto political pundits thought would have sealed the nomination for her. Overwhelming majorities of likely GOP runoff voters in both polls have made it clear they are aware of Trump’s stated preference (which could be amended in the coming days) – and simply don’t care.
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RELATED | A CO-ENDORSEMENT?
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While Trump was viewed favorably by 78% of the GOP electorate (compared to just 21% who view him unfavorably), his popularity has not been transferrable to the Ohio-born candidate he endorsed.
Evette was viewed favorably by only 48% of the runoff electorate, compared to 42% who viewed her unfavorably, per the NPA poll. Wilson, on the other hand, was viewed favorably by 62% of likely runoff voters compared to 26% who viewed him unfavorably.
That’s a huge gap – especially in light of the attacks Evette has uncorked on Wilson over the past ten days via the airwaves, in mailboxes and through her surrogates.
NPA surveyed 532 likely 2026 runoff voters “via live calls to cell and landlines and SMS/text-to-web invitations” between Wednesday and Thursday of this week (June 17-18, 2026). The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 4.25%.
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THE SURVEY…
(NPA Polling)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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4 comments
In other news, the predictive betting markets (polymarket, kalshi, etc.) are indicating that Stumbo has at least a 72% chance of winning the AG runoff. Paired with Wilson as Governor, I think we’d have a pretty decent chance of good future for our state. Not 21 gun salute type stuff, but a bright forecast.
This is why Trump is essentially taking back his endorsement of Evette. If I were Wilson, I would be distancing myself from the Orange Menace as soon as possible.
Update: Wilson on Kalshi is at 88%, Stumbo at 89%. Statically identical, and drastically clear- cut majority. “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
There are no righteous Republicans left, and the Republicans that are left care nothing for justice. Justice is for the little people, not the rich and powerful for whom they all work, thanks to the grifter in chief. But if we are lucky, one day the people will awake from their Trump cult-induced brain fog, see they were duped by a bunch of conmen, and then there will hopefully be justice.