Vice President Pence puts his money behind Gov. McMaster

Gov. Henry McMaster is getting a boost from the country’s No. 2 Republican.

McMaster’s campaign announced Friday it is getting a financial contribution from a political action committee headed by Vice President Mike Pence.

The unspecified donation from Pence’s Great America Committee only furthers strengthens McMaster’s ties to the administration of President Donald Trump.

McMaster was the first statewide-elected politician to endorse Trump’s candidacy for president. Last fall, President Trump visited South Carolina for a McMaster fundraiser, and the Republican governor often has highlighted his ties to a president, who is popular with GOP primary voters.

“Governor McMaster is honored to have already earned the endorsement of President Trump,” said campaign spokeswoman Caroline Anderegg. “With this latest show of support, Vice President Pence is telling South Carolinians he stands with the governor who is working to cut taxes, ban sanctuary cities, and build upon the job growth he achieved during his first year in office.”

McMaster faces three challengers for the GOP nomination for governor: Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant of Anderson, former Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill of Williamsburg, and former state agency director Catherine Templeton of Mount Pleasant. The Republican primary is in June.

This story was originally published February 9, 2018 at 9:15 AM with the headline "Vice President Pence puts his money behind Gov. McMaster."