CHAPIN, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is playing up her connection to President Donald Trump in the first TV campaign ad of a hotly contested gubernatorial race, highlighting the Republican candidates' heated pursuit of the president’s backing in a state where his support remains high.

Evette is launching a $1 million multimedia buy, including a television ad debuting during Saturday’s football games being played by the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, her campaign told The Associated Press. The 30-second spot will run for a month across the state.

The ad features a video snippet of Trump praising Evette as she stumped for him in 2024. It shows her alongside Trump as he tells a crowd that she is “going places — you do know that, right?”

Trump hasn

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