Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, a candidate for governor, released the following statement after a measure that would have opened the door for South Carolina lawmakers to return from the legislative session to consider Congressional redistricting stalled in the state Senate on Tuesday:
"South Carolina’s voters elected strong Republican majorities in the State House and Senate to deliver fair, constitutional congressional maps that end Democrat racial gerrymandering and strengthen our conservative stronghold. The Senate’s refusal to advance these efforts today is a betrayal of the people of South Carolina and a direct defiance of President Trump’s clear call to produce maps that honor the will of our voters and put America First.
"There is no time for hesitation or excuses. We must finish this redistricting work now, by any means necessary, to deliver representation rooted in the Constitution, not identity politics. I stand with conservatives across South Carolina and President Trump in leading this fight to end the rigged maps, eliminate racial gerrymandering, and maximize the conservative stronghold. The integrity of our elections and the future of our state demand nothing less."