South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in her bid to replace him, signaling early support in what is shaping up to be a competitive Republican primary.

Evette’s campaign released a video message from McMaster ahead of a joint appearance in Columbia, where the governor praised her leadership and partnership in advancing the state’s agenda. McMaster said Evette has worked alongside him to make South Carolina “the best place to live, work and raise a family.”

“With Pamela Evette as our next governor, we’ll keep winning,” McMaster added.

Evette faces a crowded GOP field that includes Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, as well as state Attorney General Alan Wilson. In a reliably Republican state where the GOP has controlled the governor’s office for two decades, the primary is expected to determine the next chief executive.

McMaster’s endorsement carries added weight given his long-standing relationship with President Donald Trump. In 2016, while serving as lieutenant governor, McMaster became the first statewide elected official in the nation to endorse Trump during the presidential primary. After Trump appointed then-Gov. Nikki Haley as ambassador to the United Nations, McMaster ascended to the governor’s office, further solidifying political ties between the state’s leadership and the president.

Evette has emphasized her support for Trump as a central part of her campaign. Using the slogan “Keep South Carolina Great,” she has highlighted her alignment with the president’s agenda and described his endorsement as highly significant in the race. Her campaign team includes longtime Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio, and previous campaign materials have featured Trump praising her efforts.

Other Republican candidates have also sought to align themselves with the president’s record and policy priorities. Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate in the race, and it remains unclear whether he will weigh in before the June 9 primary. A runoff would be held two weeks later if no candidate secures a majority.

With McMaster’s backing now official, Evette enters the next phase of the campaign positioned as the governor’s chosen successor, as attention turns to whether Trump will follow suit.