Pamela Evette Dodges Third GOP Gubernatorial Debate

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by WILL FOLKS

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With the coveted Donald Trump endorsement she just received starting to draw skepticism and scrutiny, South Carolina lieutenant governor Pamela Evette is backing out of the final televised Republican debate prior to the June 9, 2026 primary election.

Evette was one of six GOP candidates committed to attend the S.C. Educational Television (SCETV) debate – scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT on Monday evening (June 1, 2026) in downtown Columbia, S.C.

That changed early Sunday afternoon when she announced her attendance at a get-out-the-vote rally in her hometown of Travelers Rest, S.C. at 6:00 p.m. EDT the same night.

“I look forward to being in my hometown of Travelers Rest — the community where I raised my family, grew my business, and put down roots,” Evette wrote on X.

Shortly after advertising her Travelers Rest, S.C. event, Evette’s campaign notified SCETV she would not be participating in Monday evening’s debate.

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Evette previously skipped SCGOP-sponsored debates in Newberry on April 1, 2026 and Spartanburg last Tuesday (May 26, 2026). She attended one SCGOP-sponsored debate, a widely panned performance in Charleston, S.C. in late April.

Scheduled to participate in the exchange are four-term attorney general Alan Wilson – who most polls show in the lead as this race approaches the homestretch – congressman Ralph Norman, congresswoman Nancy Mace, Lowcountry multimillionaire Rom Reddy and embattled state senator Josh Kimbrell.

Reddy, who joined Evette in skipping a previous SCGOP-sponsored debate, announced shortly after Evette’s decision that he would also be skipping the final debate.

“This race is now a choice between a McMaster dynasty and something different,” Reddy wrote on X. “Since Pamela has elected to skip tomorrow’s SCETV debate there is no longer a reason for us to attend.”

Evette’s decision comes as criticism of her Trump endorsement – which is widely believed to be predicated on a corrupt bargain – escalated over the weekend. It also comes amid revelations regarding the rumored nepotistic addition of Henry McMaster Jr. – son of governor Henry McMaster – to Evette’s ticket as a key component of that bargain.

To say the rollout of the Trump imprimatur has gone poorly would be an understatement…

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RELATED | IS EVETTE’S TRUMP ENDORSEMENT IMPLODING?

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“This is the worst fallout from an endorsement I’ve ever seen,” Upstate conservative activist Stacy Shea noted.

Similarly, Evette’s decision to dodge the SCETV debate was also attracting incoming fire.

“If you want to lead South Carolina, you should be willing to stand before voters, answer tough questions, and defend your record,” Fort Mill, S.C. realtor Tiffani Van Essen wrote on X. “Dodging debate after debate doesn’t project strength, it projects entitlement. Voters deserve transparency, accountability, and candidates who are willing to engage openly, especially this close to an election.”

Upstate fundraiser Chris Madden agreed.

“I want a governor who will debate, respond to voter questions and surveys, and present tangible plans to accompany their platforms,” Madden wrote on X. “This seems like a bare minimum… otherwise what are you hiding?

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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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