Why South Carolina’s ‘Trump in High Heels’ Gov. Candidate Has Voting Rights Advocates Concerned

President Donald Trump is no stranger to endorsing politicians who prove most loyal to him and the MAGA agenda. But activists are raising alarms after the president launched his support for one Republican candidate for South Carolina governor, who critics say has serious plans to expand voter suppression in the state.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has proven herself to be a fierce MAGA politician, even calling herself “Trump in high heels.” Now, the boost in support from the president has renewed attention to her proposals to overhaul the state’s election system after last week’s endorsement.

“Pam Evette is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

As Evette launched a statewide bus tour following Trump’s stamp of approval, all eyes turned to her election policy platform, which includes stricter voter identification requirements, proof-of-citizenship verification for voter registration and expanded voter-roll maintenance efforts, according to Democracy Docket.

We previously told you this midterm season has been packed with heavy redistricting efforts across the country and unprecedented voter suppression efforts. Specifically in South Carolina, longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn faced GOP-led redistricting efforts but survived the attempt to axe his district, we also reported.

According to her campaign platform, Evette supports requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration and increasing the use of state and federal databases to identify potentially ineligible voters on registration rolls. She also called for creating an Election Integrity Unit to investigate allegations of voter fraud.

Supporters describe Evette’s proposals as election-integrity measures, while voting-rights advocates argue they could make it harder for eligible voters to cast ballots.

The debate comes as election administration remains a major issue among Republican primary voters nationwide, with many GOP candidates emphasizing voter-security measures in the years following the 2020 election, when the 45th president alleged voter fraud resulted in his loss to former President Joe Biden.

During a recent campaign stop, Evette pointed to Trump’s endorsement as validation of her candidacy and conservative record. Still, with only days left until the June 9 primary race, some insiders say Evette will face competition.

“Just because Trump endorsed her does not mean that South Carolinians will not have their final say in the Republican Party,” Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright told WACH FOX’s Connect to the Capitol.

Her supporters, however, have argued that her close relationship with Trump and outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster positions her as the candidate best suited to continue Republican leadership in the state. South Carolina voters will choose their next governor in November.