Donald Trump currently dominates the Republican Party, leaving virtually no Never Trump faction in public office. Most Republican candidates seek his endorsement because it often secures GOP nominations. The president routinely intervenes in primaries to reward allies and punish intraparty opponents, and he sometimes attempts to clear fields ahead of midterms. The 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial contest features multiple Republicans claiming close ties to Trump, including Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who brands herself "Trump in heels" and publicizes a Trump-reposted internal poll. Mace has a history of earlier criticism of Trump, and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Everett is running ads against her. Governor Henry McMaster's potential endorsement could influence the primary outcome.
The Republican Party currently belongs to Donald Trump lock, stock, and barrel. There's no longer any Never Trump faction, at least in public office, and hardly anyone who hasn't worn a red hat or appeared with the Boss at some point or another, typically sharing a thumbs-up gesture. So it's not surprising that candidates in competitive Republican primaries pine for a Trump endorsement, which is legal tender for a GOP nomination in many cases.
But sometimes there are just too many eager Republicans aspiring to higher office, with all of them posing as Trump's best friend in their respective states. An interesting case in point is the already red-hot 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial contest to succeed term-limited Republican (and Trump buddy) Henry McMaster. The noisiest candidate, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, likes to call herself "Trump in heels," and shows herself mugging for the cameras with the president whenever possible.
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