Nancy Mace blames Epstein files backlash as she concedes in South Carolina governor’s race

Lieutenant governor and attorney general advance but result signals decisive defeat for controversial Nancy Mace

Donald Trump-backed Pamela Evette, South Carolina's lieutenant governor, and Alan Wilson, the state's attorney general, have advanced to a runoff in a competitive race to represent the Republican party in South Carolina's gubernatorial election.

The winner of the Republican primary is favored to win the closely watched general election, given South Carolina's conservative tilt, although Democrats are hoping to ride a wave of progressive enthusiasm to make political gains across the ticket.