The race for governor of South Carolina took a dramatic turn Monday as Rep. Ralph Norman, the third-place finisher in last week's Republican primary, formally endorsed Attorney General Alan Wilson in the June 23 runoff.

Norman's backing is widely viewed by political observers as a major boost for Wilson's campaign and could prove important in determining the Republican nominee.

The congressman captured 16.5% of the vote in the primary and demonstrated strength in the Upstate and his home 5th Congressional District, carrying York and Chester counties with nearly 40% of the vote and performing well throughout the region.

Political observers note that many Norman supporters had been waiting for guidance from the conservative congressman before choosing between Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pam Evette in the runoff. 

With Norman now backing Wilson, many Republicans believe a substantial portion of those voters are likely to follow his lead.

"We share more in common than we do adversaries," Norman said in announcing his endorsement, citing both his longstanding friendship with Wilson and their shared conservative vision for South Carolina. 

Norman praised Wilson's commitment to lowering taxes, improving infrastructure, and opposing expanded gambling in the Palmetto State.

The endorsement comes on the heels of another development for Wilson's campaign: a national endorsement from Sen. Ted Cruz.

In backing Wilson, Cruz praised the attorney general as a proven conservative fighter who has consistently stood up to the Biden administration and defended constitutional principles. 

Cruz highlighted Wilson's leadership in challenging federal overreach, protecting Second Amendment rights, and fighting for conservative values in court.

"Alan Wilson has spent his career defending the Constitution, protecting South Carolina families, and standing up to the radical Left," Cruz said. 

"South Carolina needs a governor who will continue that fight, and Alan Wilson is the conservative leader for the job."

The back-to-back endorsements have reinforced Wilson's position as the leading conservative candidate in the race and have helped consolidate support among Republican voters looking for an alternative to Evette, who finished first in the primary.

Wilson's growing coalition now includes Norman, Rep. Nancy Mace, who also endorsed him after the primary, and a number of conservative activists who had hoped President Trump would remain neutral in the contest.

Many South Carolina Republicans were disappointed when Trump endorsed Evette shortly before the primary, a move that some Republicans viewed as a favor to term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster, who was the first statewide elected official in the United States to endorse Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.

McMaster has repeatedly endorsed Evette as part of a political deal that would put his son as Evette’s lieutenant governor running mate after the primary.

Wilson's supporters note that both he and his father, Rep. Joe Wilson, were among Trump's strongest backers in South Carolina during the 2024 presidential race, supporting the former president over former Gov. Nikki Haley.

Republicans across South Carolina who spoke with Newsmax said they believe momentum in the runoff has shifted toward Wilson as conservatives unite behind his candidacy.

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.