Evette praises YMCA’s impact during visit

By Brandon Roberts, Originally posted by The Summerville Journal Scene on April 27, 2025

Lt. Gov. advocates for youth programs, small businesses, public-private partnerships

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette visited the Summerville Family YMCA at The Ponds on April 24 to discuss the YMCA’s role in the community and emphasize the importance of local partnerships.

During the one-hour tour, YMCA CEO Joe Debney highlighted the organization’s community-focused initiatives, such as drowning prevention programs, outreach efforts, and partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits and elected officials.

“Every single time I have heard her speak, she stresses the importance of small business, public-private partnerships and nonprofits,” Debney said. “Not only here in South Carolina, I’ve seen her do this at the national level with the YMCA.”

Evette expressed her strong support for the YMCA’s work, particularly its effect on youth and seniors. She praised the organization’s programs that teach soft skills to high school students and provide seniors with opportunities to stay active and socially engaged.

“I am a huge champion of the Y, and for so many reasons,” Evette said. “First and foremost, because of the impact you’ve had in your community, not just with young people.”

She also shared her enthusiasm for the YMCA’s historical connections to prominent figures such as Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney.

“Ronald Reagan’s first job was being a lifeguard at the Y, and Walt Disney lived at the Y while he was sketching out his characters,” she said. “All these amazing people who did such impactful things have such a strong connection to the Y.”

Evette also highlighted the YMCA’s role in fostering youth involvement in government, pointing out the Youth in Government program led by the Y.

“It is so important for us to get our younger generation involved in government,” she said, referencing the increased awareness of state government processes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to discussing the YMCA’s contributions, Debney recognized local partnerships that strengthen the organization’s impact. The visit underscored the YMCA’s commitment to community health and its role as a resource for Summerville residents.

Evette joins RFK Jr.’s visit to Charleston to discuss new Medicaid model

by Anna Harris, originally posted by WCSC on April 25, 2025

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A nationwide effort is set to bring transformative therapies to people on Medicaid who are diagnosed with sickle cell disease through a new model by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy visited the Holy City on Friday to meet with state elected officials and Lowcountry doctors during an annual conference put on by the National Council of Insurance Legislators.

“This is a real win-win for everybody,” Kennedy said.

He says this new model’s goal is to expand access to transformative therapies for people with Medicaid and mainly for those with sickle cell disease.

Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Abe Sutton says those with sickle cell are currently treated for their symptoms, but Kennedy wants new gene therapies to focus on its root causes.

A handful of protestors stood outside the Francis Marion Hotel during this announcement in hopes of getting their message across to folks driving by.

“What I fear is a return to pre-existing conditions before we get insurance and things like that,” protestor Jennifer Small said. “And that’s totally ridiculous.”

Kennedy says he wants to create standardized insurance processes so people’s treatment can go from lasting months to just days. Plus, he wants to allow patients to make intuitive payments to manufacturers depending on whether the drug actually works for them.

He says people assume budget cuts translate to worse service, but it does not have to be that way.

“When we adopt cutting-edge technologies and make tough and fair negotiations with industry, we can cut costs and improve patient care,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy says 35 states have already applied to be involved in this new model, including South Carolina.

And one of the elected officials who met with Kennedy is South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who says the Palmetto State is fourth per capita in the nation of people with sickle cell. She says talking with a sickle cell patient directly in the meeting helped enhance her perspective.

“Competition is what drives costs down,” Evette said. “So, as these start to be proven and more people get into this field and start producing more drugs, that will eventually bring the costs down also.”

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R) also met with the small group and says it means a lot to him as he’s worked on sickle cell legislation for the past ten years. He says 60% of sickle cell funding comes through Medicaid, and he wants to make sure that stays intact.

He also brought up another personal concern with Kennedy.

“Frankly, I had some concerns that the Office of Minority Health was going to be eliminated, and I wanted to make sure that I got the assurances that I wanted from RFK that that was not the case,” Scott said. “It’s moving over to the American Hospital Association part of the administration. So, that was good news to hear that as well.”

The Medical University of South Carolina’s adult and pediatric blood and marrow transplant and cellular therapy program medical director, Dr. Michelle Hudspeth, says she’s hoping these changes become long-term.

“Someone in your family is going to be affected by a life-altering illness, and we never know what that day may be,” Hudspeth said. “And so, this is about the background of science and research coming to a point where we can truly change lives.”

Overall, the group agrees they want to make these life-changing solutions in a fiscally responsible way.

Hudspeth says the group hopes this model will get approved in South Carolina so these therapies can start right away. But for now, there’s no timeline of if or when it may happen.

South Carolina lieutenant governor visits Summerville YMCA

By Anna Harris, originally published by WCSC Live 5 News on April 24, 2025

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) – South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette says the YMCA has played a crucial role in her work and personal life, which led her to take a trip to Summerville’s YMCA on Thursday.

She says the YMCA is a huge help to young people looking to get a job, especially those in high school, and helps make community connections stronger, like at The Ponds in Summerville.

Evette visited one of the three YMCA locations in Summerville to learn more about their programs. In the past, she says she’s visited a location in Florence, Myrtle Beach and even the national organization in Washington, D.C.

In the Lowcountry, Evette has worked with the Y to bring a portable pool to communities like Walterboro and St. George over the past few years. And she says the programs the Y offers are important to the youth as they allow them to learn soft skills.

“School is going to be coming to an end, and parents need to know what they can do with their children during the day,” Evette said. “A safe place, a learning place, a place their kids will have fun and want to come every day. And the Y fills that gap also.”

Plus, she says the Y benefits seniors as they’re able to find new friends and keep up with their social life.

And at The Ponds’ YMCA, a new “Y on the Fly” bus is taking those kinds of programs and bringing them on the go. This new addition came from a $50,000 donation from Boeing.

Evette says anyone with this access is able to succeed.

“Ronald Reagan had his first job as a lifeguard here with the Y,” Evette said. “Walt Disney lived at the Y while he was designing and creating some of his most iconic characters. And so, the Y has a long-standing reputation of being a staple in every community. And so, it’s important to let people know the resources they have right here under this roof.”

Evette says youth and government are headed by the Y. So, it’s important for the younger generation to get involved in government and learn how to vote.

And although she has not officially filed, Evette did mention she is still strongly considering running for governor.

Click here to learn more about the YMCA at The Ponds and to get involved with their programs.

Lt. Gov. Evette Attends Milo’s Tea Co. Grand Opening in Spartanburg County

By Tiare Solis, originally posted April 22, 2025 in Upstate Business Journal

Milo’s Tea Co. held a grand opening for its new Spartanburg County production facility April 22.

The 110,000-square-foot facility is located just off Interstate 26 in Moore and represents a $200 million economic investment in the Upstate. Present at the ribbon cutting were Milo’s CEO Tricia Wallwork, Walmart CEO John Furner and Gov. Henry McMaster, among others.

“We built a business based on values, on putting people first, on delicious drinks with real ingredients that you have in your kitchen and a growth mindset,” Wallwork said. “We’re blessed to have team of remarkable people right here in the Upstate that are ready to live our values.”

Milo’s was founded in Birmingham, Alabama, as Milo’s Hamburgers in 1946 by Wallwork’s grandparents, Milo and Bea Carlton. The restaurant served burgers, fries and sweet tea, and it still exists today. The restaurant franchised in 1982 with Wallwork’s parents.

Walmart partnership

The beverage component eventually branched off into Milo’s Tea Co., which partnered with Walmart roughly 30 years ago. In 2013, Walmart launched its U.S. Manufacturing Initiative, and Wallwork sought an opportunity for expansion.

Milo’s tea is now available at more than 55,000 retail locations.

The Spartanburg County operation was announced in June 2023. The opening marks the fourth facility for the family-owned tea company. It opened a Tulsa, Oklahoma, facility in 2020 to serve western states.

“Now we want to come a little bit further east and a little bit further north so that we could access all of the Eastern Seaboard,” said Milo’s COO Chris Droney.

The Spartanburg facility will brew and package tea, which will then be shipped to Walmart regional distribution centers.

“We continue to be closer to where customers are and closer to our distribution cities, which is a great opportunity for us,” said Will McDonald, Walmart vice president of merchandising for beverages.

By the end of the year, the facility will ramp up to annually produce 25 million cases of tea, each containing four one-gallon bottles. When fully operational, it will employ more than 200 workers.

South Carolina Lt. Governor Pamela Evette Announces STEM Funding for the Palmetto Academy for Motor Sports

PALM to receive funding as part of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) Lt. Governors’ STEM Scholarship Program

CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA – South Carolina Lt. Governor Pamela Evette has announced that Palmetto Academy for Motor Sports is an award recipient of the 2025 NLGA Lt. Governors STEM Scholarship Program! NLGA will award the school $500 as part of a national call for applications for funding STEM programming and curriculum in schools.

“STEM opportunities are essential for students across all ages, disciplines, and career paths,” said Lt. Governor Evette. “South Carolina stands as a national leader in the automotive, manufacturing, and motorsports industries. Through supporting STEM education at PALM, the NLGA funding is advancing the education and development of South Carolina’s future S.C. workforce.”

PALM is a vocational high school dedicated to preparing students for careers in the motorsports industry. The STEM Scholarship will provide funding for microscopes, enabling students to incorporate microscopy into subjects like biology and chemistry, and to enhance their academic experience through a robust, competency-based curriculum.

NLGA opened the application period for the STEM Scholarship Program in January 2025. The application process was competitive, with NLGA receiving more than 125 requests for STEM funding from schools in 32 states and territories. Twelve schools in 12 states and territories were awarded $500 – $1,000 for STEM-related expenses.

“As the seconds-in-command in state and territorial government, lieutenant governors are uniquely poised to lead on STEM education,” said NLGA Executive Director Kellie Rittershausen. “By supporting STEM-related activities in schools across the country, we can encourage a long-term interest and passion in STEM education in America’s youth.”

The Scholarship Program is administered by NLGA, the nonpartisan, nonprofit association for the nation’s seconds-in-command, and sponsored by ACT, the education and career readiness nonprofit.

“ACT is proud to have been the sponsor of the NLGA STEM scholarship program since its inception and to see its growth and impact over the past 4 years,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said. “STEM education is crucial for our country’s future workforce which will be increasingly reliant on the critical thinking and problem-solving skills it fosters, regardless of a student’s college or career pathway. ACT is uniquely poised to meet this moment, and working alongside NLGA, we are committed to ensuring that all students leave high school prepared to enter a world of evolving postsecondary and work opportunities, including those for which a high-quality STEM education are essential.”

Public, private, and tribal schools serving pre-K – 12^th grade students in the 50 states and five U.S. territories were invited to apply for funding to support STEM-related activities, programming, curriculum, equipment, and other expenses. Funding will be provided to all winning schools in May.

Additional information on the STEM Scholarship Program can be found at https://nlga.us/state-strategies-in-stem/.

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‘Thank You Celebration’ at Pelicans Ballpark honors first responders

by Carolina Surface, originally posed April 15, 2025 by WPDE ABC News 15

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — On Monday evening, the community gathered to honor the Covington Drive wildfire first responders at the Pelicans Stadium.

First responders received complimentary food and tickets during Monday’s event from 4 to 7 p.m.

The admission fees from other guests went to the South Carolina Mental Health for Heroes, a nonprofit organization that helps first responders and veteran’s mental health needs.

Congressman Russell Fry, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, State Senator Greg Hembree, State House Rep. Tim McGinnis and Horry County Councilman Dennis DiSabato were in attendance as special guests.

“That’s such a testament to how hard these men and women fight for us every single day,” said Lt. Gov. Evette. “So I’m glad to see this great turnout. I’d expect nothing less from South Carolina.”

ABC15’s Chief Meteorologist, Ed Piotrowski, was the emcee of this event.

Continuing the ‘legacy’ of SC’s CEO important to lieutenant governor as she mulls own bid

By Shaun Chornobroff, Originally posted in SC Daily Gazette April 3, 2025;

Photo Credit: Travis Bell

Lt. Gov. Pam Evette would hope to put her “own stamp” on the state

COLUMBIA — As she mulls a 2026 gubernatorial bid, South Carolina’s lieutenant governor says her decision is guided by a desire to build on the state’s economic growth under Gov. Henry McMaster using her own business experience.

Pam Evette has served alongside McMaster since the 2018 election, the first in the state with candidates for governor and lieutenant governor running on the same ticket. McMaster, the state’s oldest and longest-serving elected governor in state history, can’t run again.

“That plays a factor in this, making sure that legacy continues on, so I’m seriously considering (running),” Evette told the SC Daily Gazette on Wednesday.

She did not give a timeline for a decision.

Evette, who joined McMaster’s team as his running mate in November 2017, said the accomplishments she’s proud of include using the governor’s bully pulpit to promote the career paths available to students through the state’s technical colleges.

Her roles have included leading South Carolina’s 2020 Complete Count Committee, which had the unexpected task of getting an official tally of residents amid a pandemic.

The 57-year-old accountant will be aided by the political action committee Patriots for South Carolina. Made up of allies of President Donald Trump, the PAC has already secured $5 million in donor commitments for Evette, The Post and Courier first reported.

It’s a boost she’ll need to stand out among an expectedly crowded field for the Republican nomination. Despite her travels across the state as the governor’s ambassador and her frequent appearances beside McMaster at news conferences, Evette is an unknown to many voters, as shown by the latest Winthrop Poll.

Although no one is officially in the race, Republicans considering a bid include Attorney General Alan Wilson, U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, and state Sens. Sean Bennett and Josh Kimbrell.

Unlike any of them, Evette’s bid for governor would be her first solo run for elected office.

Mace, who constituents criticized for not attending a town hall in her district last Friday, was at the Statehouse on Wednesday and told reporters “things are looking very positive” for her decision on a gubernatorial announcement. She added that she was meeting with House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, about the “future of the state.”

The First District congresswoman has made repeated jabs at Evette on social media.

However, the lieutenant governor said the comments don’t bother her much.

“That’s what you see in Washington (D.C.) politics, and that’s why we are where we are in Washington with an unbalanced budget and things not getting done,” Evette said.

One question is who in the potential field might get Trump’s endorsement. In January, Mace told reporters that Trump’s opinion on her potential run would be a crucial factor in her decision.

Evette said she’s not relying on his endorsement, though she called Trump an inspiration. She described herself as a “Trump girl” when McMaster introduced her to voters in 2017. It was at a reception in Washington, D.C., for Trump’s inauguration where she first met McMaster.

Last week, Evette traveled to Washington at the invitation of the White House for an event celebrating Women’s History Month. Mace was also among attendees.

‘Time is money’

Originally from Ohio, Evette moved to South Carolina two decades ago and made the Palmetto State her adopted home, she said. It’s where she raised her three children and grew her business.

When McMaster picked Evette, the political novice was the president and CEO of Quality Business Solutions, an outsourcing payroll and human resources firm operating out of Travelers Rest for clients nationwide. (Her husband became president when she joined McMaster’s team.)

Her business credentials and desire to cut bureaucratic red tape remain the key component of her potential sales pitch to voters.

During her conversation with the SC Daily Gazette, Evette said she’d want to put her “own stamp” on the state with a company-like approach to the governor’s office.

Sounding a lot like former Gov. Nikki Haley, who also had an accounting background and crafted her reputation as the “jobs governor,” Evette said she’d focus on making South Carolina the most business-friendly state in the nation — if she were to run, of course.

As a former business owner, now equipped with more than six years in office, Evette says she has a unique understanding of how to help the state’s business community.

“When you believe that the government can run efficiently like a business in the private sector, who’s better to do that than a businessperson that’s had to live with it every day in the private sector,” she said.

She also wants to continue a push for technical college education, which she says would “create the workforce of tomorrow.”

She touted the success of the state’s Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship, better known as SC WINS, that covers expenses for students at South Carolina’s 16 technical colleges.

SC Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox contributed to this report.

S.C. Lt. Gov. to Newsmax: We Needed New President, Not New Laws

By James Morley III, Originally Posted by Newsmax April 10, 2025

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette told Newsmax on Thursday that when it comes to illegal immigration, “we didn’t need more laws, we just needed a new president.”

Last Wednesday, 21-year-old Nathaniel “Nate” Baker was killed during a hit-and-run on the University of South Carolina’s campus. Police have charged 21-year-old Rosali Fernandez Cruz with the death in addition to other charges.

Columbia Police have said that Fernandez Cruz is an illegal migrant and Evette pointed out the damage done by the previous administration’s open border policies, saying “we can’t sugar coat it anymore.”

“The Biden administration — those were failed policies that allowed millions of dangerous people into our country. You know, the governor and I, we took very specific steps in South Carolina, making sure that we had no sanctuary cities in our state,” Evette said during an appearance on Newsmax’s “National Report.”

Evette said that Gov. Henry McMaster has told state law enforcement to report back any increases in illegal migrant populations anywhere in the state. “So, we were making sure that our prosecutors had the tools they needed to carry out our laws to the fullest extent.

“And President Trump was right, we didn’t need more laws we just needed a new president, somebody that had a backbone that would stand up for the American people and say, enough is enough. We have to keep Americans safe,” she concluded.

‘Strongest MAGA woman in Congress;’ MTG visits Berkeley County Republican Women

by Perrin Moore; originally published Mon, March 31st 2025 by ABC News 4

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — One of the loudest voices in Congress visited the Lowcountry this weekend.

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) was the keynote speaker at the Berkeley County Republican Women’s Annual Spring Tea in Nexton Sunday.

Greene wasn’t the only lawmaker in town, with South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette also making an appearance in the Lowcountry.

“Honored to be with the strongest MAGA woman in Congress today,” Evette wrote in a post on X.

Addressing the Berkeley County crowd, Greene spoke about her Protect Children’s Innocence Act, which would prohibit gender affirming care for minors and classify charges for doctors found to have conducted gender affirming care as felonies.

The bill, H.R. 1399, was referred to the Subcommittee on Health by the Committee on Ways and Means in December, with Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03) and William Timmons (SC-04) listed as Palmetto State cosponsors.

The Congressional Equality Caucus said Greene’s bill would “throw parents and doctors in jail” as House Republicans work to “implement Project 2025’s assault on LGBTQI+ Americans’ rights.”

Lt. Gov. Evette Visits Table Rock Complex as Fire Becomes Highest Priority Fire in the Nation

Table Rock Complex fire officially crosses state lines

by Scarlett Lisjak, originally posted March 29, 2025 by WSPA

PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Officials said the Table Rock Complex Fire has now crossed the state line into North Carolina.

The Table Rock Complex fire, made up of both the Table Rock and Persimmon Ridge Fires, has become the largest wildfire the upstate has ever seen.

“One thing I was briefed on this morning, is we’ve had the largest chemical water drops in state history for this fire,” said Pamela Evette, the Lt. Governor for the State of South Carolina.

On Saturday, state and local officials met to give an update on their ongoing containment efforts. Fire officials said they are continuing to strengthen containment lines to the east and west of the fire while conducting burn out operations.

“Our guys and ladies are working extremely hard out there. It’s very difficult working conditions. Anyone who has hiked around Table Rocks knows this is a very steep hilly country. It will wear you out on a normal day, much less when you’re fighting fires, but the morale of our folks is incredible,” said Scott Phillips with South Carolina Forestry Commission.

Officials said that this year’s fire season has been unprecedented because of another natural disaster.

“This is not an easy task, as we have a lot of fuel on the ground from Hurricane Helene which has posed extra challenges that they didn’t have to fight before,” Evette said.

Evette added the blaze is also a high priority for the federal government saying that “right now Table Rock is the number one fire in the country, that’s why you are seeing such an increase in federal resources, because we moved up to the number one fire.”

A statewide burn ban is still in effect in South Carolina.

Tag: Pamela Evette