Hilton Head, SC, September 5, 2025
News Summary
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has formally declared her intention to run for governor in South Carolina during a town hall meeting in Hilton Head. Her campaign focuses on immigration enforcement, government efficiency, educational choice, and tax reform. Evette’s platform emphasizes strict immigration policies, an overhaul of governmental operations, and a commitment to universal school choice while aligning herself with former President Trump’s initiatives. The announcement is significant as no Democratic candidate has yet emerged for the upcoming election.
Hilton Head, SC – Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette officially announced her intentions to run for governor at a town hall meeting attended by nearly 100 residents at the Old Oyster Factory on Hilton Head Island. During her address, Evette emphasized her campaign platform, which focuses on immigration enforcement, governmental efficiency, expanded educational choices, and tax reform.
Evette advocates for strict immigration policies, proposing the use of South Carolina’s Palmetto penitentiary to temporarily house illegal immigrants prior to their deportation. She noted that while illegal immigration is a concern, South Carolina does not face the same level of challenges as other states in this regard. Additionally, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to participate in the 287(g) immigration enforcement program, which allows local law enforcement to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sheriff P.J. Tanner signed the contract for this program, clarifying that it will not involve mass identification checks.
On the efficiency side, Evette proposed adapting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established during the Trump administration, to fit a South Carolina context, which she referred to as SCOGE. This program aims to streamline governmental operations and reduce spending. She suggested reevaluating all business regulations every five years to ensure their relevance and effectiveness, along with implementing a sunset clause for regulations so they could be voted on by the General Assembly every five years.
In her education agenda, Evette is a strong supporter of universal school choice, believing parents should have the right to choose how to educate their children. She emphasized the importance of South Carolina’s technical colleges in providing the necessary training for future jobs and asserting that education reform is critical for the state’s workforce development. Additionally, Evette expressed her commitment to working towards the elimination of state income tax as a long-term economic plan, although she recognized that it is not an immediate process and will not take more than ten years.
Evette highlighted her alignment with former President Trump, asserting that her unwavering support for his policies differentiates her from opposing candidates. She attended a January 2023 event with Trump, where he announced his presidential candidacy, asserting her presence as notable. She also expressed faith in Trump’s initiatives, including the release of the Epstein Files.
As of September 4, 2025, no Democratic candidates have declared their intention to run for the governor’s office in South Carolina. Meanwhile, the S.C. National Guard has activated 40 members under Title 32 to assist ICE with domestic immigration enforcement efforts. Recent operations have highlighted arrests of suspected gang members, as reported by Rep. Nancy Mace. However, public meetings have raised concerns regarding racial profiling and the financial implications of the 287(g) program on local taxpayers.
Evette’s proposal outlines a diverse range of approaches aimed at reshaping South Carolina’s governance, economy, and educational landscape as she prepares for the upcoming election.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s main campaign focuses for governor?
Her campaign focuses include immigration enforcement, government efficiency, expanded educational choices, and tax reform.
What is the 287(g) immigration enforcement program?
The 287(g) program enables local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE on immigration enforcement, allowing officers to enforce federal immigration laws.
How does Evette plan to address educational issues in South Carolina?
She supports universal school choice, believing it is a parent’s right to choose their children’s education method. She also emphasizes the importance of technical colleges to prepare the workforce.
What changes does Evette propose for state regulations?
Evette proposes re-evaluating business regulations every five years and implementing a sunset clause for regulations, allowing the General Assembly to vote on them periodically.
Key Features of Evette’s Campaign
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Immigration Enforcement | Utilize the Palmetto penitentiary for housing illegal immigrants for deportation. |
| Government Efficiency | Adapt DOGE to SCOGE; reevaluate regulations every five years with a sunset clause. |
| School Choice | Promote universal school choice; emphasize the role of technical colleges in workforce preparation. |
| Tax Reform | Aim to eliminate state income tax progressively. |
| Trump Support | Position herself as a strong supporter of Trump, comparing to other candidates. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Thomas Ravenel Withdraws from 2026 Gubernatorial Race
Thomas Ravenel Withdraws from Governor Race in South Carolina
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette Announces Gubernatorial Run
- Google Search: Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette gubernatorial campaign
- Post and Courier: Beaufort County ICE 287(g) Immigration
- Wikipedia: 287(g) Program
- ABC News 4: ICE Conducts Immigration Sweeps
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Live 5 News: ICE Causes Driving Dangers
- Google News: ICE sweeps Lowcountry
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
