Former President Donald Trump on March 30 endorsed the reelection bid of South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick, passing over Lin Wood, an attorney who filed several post-election lawsuits with the goal of overturning the results in Trump’s favor.
“Drew McKissick has done an outstanding job as South Carolina GOP Chairman, electing more Republicans in 2020 than in over 140 years. Drew fought all the way to the Supreme Court to defend our voting laws—and WON. He will continue to grow the party and help Conservatives get elected in the Great State of South Carolina. Drew has my Complete and Total Endorsement for re-election!,” Trump wrote in a statement released through his Save America political action committee.
McKissick has led the South Carolina GOP since 2017. Trump’s endorsement came one day after Wood told The Hill that he intended to run for the chairman’s seat.
“Drew—you have my complete and total endorsement. Great job,” the note states.
In a response to the February endorsement, McKissick wrote, “I’m honored to have President Trump’s endorsement and looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve our Party and the conservative principles and grassroots activists that have given us our biggest majority in 140 years.”
Wood did not work for the Trump campaign in an official capacity. All of his election lawsuits were ultimately dismissed. One of the lawsuits included dozens of sworn affidavits alleging election violations during the statewide recount in Georgia, including ballots cast for Trump being counted for then-candidate Joe Biden.
“A compelling reason for my decision to run for Chair of the South Carolina Party is that it is time for the leadership of the Party to recognize and appreciate the amazing Patriots stepping up to get involved in the party—this is NOT the time to take actions to exclude them,” Wood told The Hill.