Pamela Evette
Pamela Sue Evette is an American politician and businesswoman serving as the 93rd [Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina|lieutenant governor of South Carolina] since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was the CEO of Quality Business Solutions in Upstate South Carolina before her election as lieutenant governor. Evette is the first lieutenant governor to be elected on the same ticket as the governor. She has been in office since January 9, 2019, when Henry McMaster began his first elected term as governor.
Background
Evette is the granddaughter of Polish immigrants. Born in Ohio, Evette earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Cleveland State University. Evette worked as an accountant until returning to Travelers Rest, South Carolina in 2005, where she founded and acted as CEO of Quality Business Solutions, a payroll, HR and back-office solutions software firm.Evette was the first lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket as the governor. Before the 2018 election, South Carolina lieutenant governors were elected independently of the governor. She defeated Mandy Powers Norrell in the gubernatorial election on November 6, 2018. Evette took office as South Carolina's second female lieutenant governor on January 9, 2019.
Lieutenant governor
Evette took office as lieutenant governor on January 9, 2019. Evette is the second woman to hold the role of lieutenant governor, after Nancy Stevenson, and first Republican woman to hold the office.Evette has spent much of her time in office traveling the state, giving speeches and addresses that support Governor Henry McMaster. Evette said in an interview with the Associated Press that she has "doubled the potential footprint" of the governor's office through communicating with lawmakers at various events across the state.
In October 2019, Evette and PalmettoPride launched a statewide initiative to encourage South Carolinians to clean up their communities. Later that same month, Evette was involved in a car collision in Greer, South Carolina when her driver inappropriately activated his flashing blue and red lights to go through an intersection. Evette's driver was cited, and Evette was uninjured.
In 2020, Evette served as chair of the South Carolina Governor’s Complete Count Commission for the 2020 Census. In July 2020, Evette participated in the SC7 Expedition to raise awareness for protecting South Carolina’s natural resources and floodwater prevention.
In November 2022, McMaster and Evette won reelection.
In 2023, Evette joined thousands of students at a rally celebrating school choice at the state capitol.
On December 12, 2023, McMaster underwent an outpatient heart procedure to correct paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, an intermittent irregular heartbeat. Evette served as acting governor for two hours. The South Carolina Constitution provides that the lieutenant governor may take executive action in case of emergency if the governor is temporarily disabled.
In February 2024, Evette advocated for the expansion of home visit programs for SC moms and babies. On May 6, 2024, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce and Evette announced the "Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders" Youth Employment Initiative to promote the importance of youth employment and to create a job board made for teenagers.
Alongside Governor McMaster, Evette has attended events to aid South Carolinians impacted by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
2026 gubernatorial campaign
On July 14, 2025, Evette announced her candidacy for governor of South Carolina in 2026.Awards and honors
In 2015, Evette was ranked the #3 top female entrepreneurs in the United States by Inc. Magazine, noting that as CEO, she grew her business to a one-billion-dollar enterprise in the 15 years since its inception.In 2016, Evette received the Who's Who Award "The Boss" from Upstate Business Journal.
In 2016, Evette received Business Black Box Entrepreneur of the Year award.
In 2016, Evette was named an Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women.
In 2017, Evette received the ATHENA Leadership Award.
In 2018, Evette was a EY Entrepreneur Of the Year Southeast Finalist.
In 2019, Evette was named one of the 25 Most Beautiful Women in the Upstate by TALK Greenville.
In 2017, 2018, and 2019, Evette's business, Quality Business Solutions, was named as one of the nation's 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/Led Companies by Women Presidents Organization.
In 2020, Evette was named Patron Emeritus from Horry Georgetown Technical College.
In 2020, Evette was named the Transportation Association of South Carolina's Elected Official of the Year
In 2021, Evette received the Global Eco-Adventures Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2021, Evette received the Great American Award from Greenwood County Veteran's Center.
In 2021, Evette was inducted into the 50 Most Influential People in the Upstate Hall of Fame.
In 2022, Evette was named a Women of Distinction by Girl Scouts of SC Mountains to Midlands.
In 2023, Evette was a GSA Business Report Woman of Influence Honoree.
In 2023, Evette was named a SC Women in Business Honoree by Integrated Media Publishing.
In 2023, Evette received the Recycling Impact Award from ISRI and NLGA.
In 2024, Evette received the Christian Woman of Distinction Award by She Leads Carolinas.
In 2024, Evette received the Joseph H. Rainey Empowered Leadership Award.
In 2024, Evette was named a 2024 Christian Woman of Distinction by She Leads America.
Personal life
Evette is married to David Evette, with whom she has one son. She also has one son and one daughter from a previous marriage.Evette and her husband attend a Catholic Church in Taylors, South Carolina.