Pamela Evette

Pamela Evette
Born	Pamela Sue Gajoch 28 8, 1967
Birthplace	Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businesswoman
Known for	93rd Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina
Education	Cleveland State University (BBA)
Spouse(s)	David Evette
Children	3
Awards	Inc. Magazine Top Female Entrepreneur (#3)
Website	[Official state website Official site]

Pamela Sue Evette (née Gajoch; born August 28, 1967) is an American politician and businesswoman who has served as the 93rd lieutenant governor of South Carolina since January 9, 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Evette made history as the first lieutenant governor of South Carolina to be elected on the same ticket as the governor, running alongside Henry McMaster in 2018. Before entering public office, Evette built a career as an entrepreneur in Upstate South Carolina, serving as CEO of Quality Business Solutions, a payroll and human resources firm she grew into a nationally recognized company. As lieutenant governor, Evette has taken on roles in workforce development, education, litter prevention, and maternal health initiatives across the state. In 2026, she announced her candidacy for Governor of South Carolina, receiving the endorsement of Governor McMaster in a competitive Republican primary.

Early Life

Pamela Sue Gajoch was born on August 28, 1967, in Ohio. She grew up in a working-class family in the state. Details about her parents and childhood circumstances have been referenced in various campaign and public profiles, though specific information about her early upbringing in Ohio remains limited in published sources.

Evette later relocated to South Carolina, where she established both her business career and her family life in the Upstate region. Her transition from Ohio to South Carolina became a defining chapter of her personal narrative, as she built her professional reputation in the Travelers Rest area near Greenville.

Education

Evette attended Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. Her business education provided the foundation for her subsequent entrepreneurial career in the human resources and payroll services industry.

Career

Business Career

Before entering politics, Evette spent decades building a career in the private sector. She served as the chief executive officer of Quality Business Solutions (QBS), a payroll and human resources services company based in Upstate South Carolina. Under her leadership, the company grew substantially and earned national recognition. Quality Business Solutions was recognized as one of the 50 fastest-growing women-owned or women-led companies by the Women Presidents' Organization.

Evette's entrepreneurial achievements received further attention when Inc. magazine ranked her third among the top female entrepreneurs in America. The Upstate Business Journal profiled Evette as a prominent business leader in the Greenville area, highlighting her role as a CEO and employer in the region.

Her business background became a central element of her political identity, as she frequently cited her experience creating jobs and managing a company when discussing her qualifications for public office.

2018 Lieutenant Governor Campaign

In 2018, Evette entered the political arena for the first time when Governor Henry McMaster selected her as his running mate for the general election. This marked a significant change in South Carolina politics, as it was the first time the state's lieutenant governor was elected on the same ticket as the governor rather than in a separate election. Previously, the governor and lieutenant governor had been elected independently, which sometimes resulted in officeholders from different parties or with divergent political agendas.

Evette's selection was notable for several reasons. She was only the second woman to hold the office of lieutenant governor in South Carolina's history. Her background as a businesswoman rather than a career politician distinguished her from many other candidates for statewide office. The Post and Courier profiled the candidates in the 2018 gubernatorial race, noting Evette's business credentials and her newcomer status in the political sphere.

McMaster and Evette won the 2018 general election, and Evette took office as the 93rd lieutenant governor of South Carolina on January 9, 2019, succeeding Kevin L. Bryant.

Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

First Year in Office

In her first year as lieutenant governor, Evette acknowledged the learning curve that came with transitioning from the private sector to public office. In a January 2020 reflection on her first year, she discussed the adjustments required in moving from a corporate environment to state government, where decision-making processes and timelines differed considerably from the business world. As someone new to politics, Evette worked to establish her role within the McMaster administration and to identify policy areas where she could focus her attention.

Litter Prevention and Environmental Initiatives

One of Evette's early public initiatives as lieutenant governor was her involvement with litter prevention efforts across South Carolina. In November 2019, she partnered with PalmettoPride, the state's litter prevention organization, to challenge South Carolinians to participate in a statewide cleanup effort. The "Grab a Bag" campaign encouraged residents to collect litter in their communities on November 16, 2019.

Evette also participated in conservation efforts, engaging with organizations such as South Carolina Wild to promote environmental stewardship and awareness of the state's natural resources.

COVID-19 Response and Workforce Development

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Evette played a role in the state's response efforts. In May 2020, she and other South Carolina leaders launched the "#CountMeIn" campaign, which sought to highlight the importance of community engagement and volunteerism during the public health crisis.

Workforce development became a recurring theme of Evette's tenure. In 2024, she partnered with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) to announce the "Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders" youth initiative, a program designed to connect young South Carolinians with employment and career development opportunities. The initiative reflected Evette's broader focus on preparing the state's workforce for economic growth and addressing labor shortages in key industries.

Education Advocacy

Evette became an advocate for school choice during her time as lieutenant governor. In 2023, she participated in a state rally at the South Carolina State Capitol in Columbia, where thousands of students and supporters gathered to celebrate school choice and advocate for expanded educational options for families across the state.

Maternal and Child Health

Evette also directed attention to maternal and child health issues in South Carolina. She expressed support for the expansion of home visit programs for mothers and babies across the state, a position covered by regional media outlets. The programs aimed to improve health outcomes for newborns and provide support for new mothers, particularly in underserved communities.

Emergency Preparedness

As part of her duties, Evette engaged in emergency management activities, participating in county preparedness days organized by the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD). These events aimed to strengthen coordination between state and local emergency response agencies and improve readiness for natural disasters and other emergencies that frequently affect the state.

Serving as Acting Governor

On occasion, Evette served as acting governor of South Carolina when McMaster was temporarily unable to fulfill his duties. In December 2023, Governor McMaster underwent a minor outpatient medical procedure, during which time Evette assumed the powers and responsibilities of the governorship in accordance with the state constitution.

2022 Re-election

In 2022, Evette and McMaster ran for re-election and won, securing a second term. The results of the 2022 general election in South Carolina confirmed the McMaster-Evette ticket's continued support among state voters.

National Lieutenant Governors Association

In 2025, Evette assumed the role of chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA), becoming the 66th person to hold the position. She succeeded Garlin Gilchrist, the lieutenant governor of Michigan, in the chairmanship. The position provided Evette with a national platform and allowed her to engage with lieutenant governors from across the country on shared policy priorities including workforce development, education, and economic growth.

2026 Gubernatorial Campaign

In 2026, Evette entered the race for Governor of South Carolina, seeking to succeed Henry McMaster, who was term-limited from running again. On February 12, 2026, Governor McMaster formally endorsed Evette's candidacy, a significant development in what had become a competitive five-way Republican primary. At the endorsement announcement, McMaster praised the partnership he and Evette had built during their time in office, stating "We'll keep winning."

The endorsement was widely reported in state and national media. The Post and Courier, The Hill, and several South Carolina television stations covered the announcement, noting its potential impact on the primary race. Polls at the time of the endorsement showed that "undecided" remained the leading response among likely Republican primary voters, suggesting the race remained fluid.

Evette's campaign priorities included the elimination of the state income tax, statewide growth planning, and various policy positions she outlined in media interviews.

On February 23, 2026, four of the five Republican candidates, including Evette, participated in a gubernatorial candidate forum hosted by the Upstate Republican Women's Club at the Poinsett Club in Greenville. At the forum, the candidates outlined their distinct platforms and attempted to differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Personal Life

Evette resides in the Upstate South Carolina region with her husband, David Evette. She was previously married and divorced before her marriage to David Evette. She has three children.

In October 2019, Evette was involved in a traffic incident when a vehicle collided with her state-provided vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle was injured in the collision, which was reported by the Post and Courier.

Evette has made public appearances on national platforms, including appearances on C-SPAN, where her political activities and public remarks have been documented.

Recognition

Evette received several notable recognitions during her business career. Inc. magazine ranked her third among the top female entrepreneurs in America, a recognition that highlighted her success in building Quality Business Solutions into a nationally competitive firm. Her company was also named the 17th fastest-growing women-owned or women-led company in the United States by the Women Presidents' Organization, further establishing her credentials as an entrepreneur.

The Upstate Business Journal profiled Evette as a leading business figure in the Greenville, South Carolina area, featuring her in its coverage of prominent local executives.

In politics, Evette's election in 2018 earned her a place in South Carolina history as only the second woman to serve as lieutenant governor and the first to be elected on a joint ticket with the governor. Her appointment as the 66th chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association in 2025 represented additional national recognition of her role in state government.