South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson won the Republican gubernatorial runoff Tuesday, defeating Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and positioning himself as the overwhelming favorite to become the state's next governor in November.

Newsmax and Decision Desk HQ called the race for Wilson about a half-hour after polls closed. With about 19% of the vote totaled, Wilson had 59.2% and Evette had 40.8%.

Wilson advanced to the runoff after finishing second in the June 9 primary, while Evette led the field but fell short of the majority needed to avoid a second round.

The result capped a dramatic final stretch of the campaign in which President Donald Trump expanded his earlier endorsement of Evette and announced support for Wilson as well, telling Republican voters they "can't go wrong" with either candidate.

The late endorsement came just days before the runoff and followed a series of endorsements for Wilson from former rivals and prominent South Carolina Republicans.

Wilson, a four-term attorney general, entered the runoff with momentum after multiple polls showed him opening a sizable lead over Evette. He campaigned on his record as the state's top prosecutor and highlighted his ties to the Trump movement.

Evette, who had the backing of term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster and initially secured Trump's sole endorsement before the primary, sought to present herself as the candidate who would continue the administration's policies.

Wilson now advances to the November general election against Democrat Jermaine Johnson. Republicans have dominated statewide elections in South Carolina for decades, making Wilson the early favorite in the race to succeed McMaster.