SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – Dozens of conservatives gathered for the 5th annual Faith, Family, and Freedom dinner hosted by the Dorchester County Republican Party in Summerville. The event saw four of the five prominent Republicans vying for South Carolina’s 2026 gubernatorial race, with notable speeches and policy priorities shared.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Ralph Norman, and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell were in attendance, though Lowcountry Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who has also announced her candidacy, was absent.
Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s Vision for Efficiency
During her address, Lt. Gov. Evette expressed her commitment to eliminating the state income tax and enhancing government efficiency. She emphasized the importance of leveraging technology and artificial intelligence for better governance.
“We need to work on leveraging technology and AI to make government efficient,” Evette said. “That’s what I think SCOGE will do. That’s my version of South Carolina’s own department of government efficiency. And when we do that, we’re going to bring money back to the bottom line.”
Attorney General Alan Wilson’s Focus on Public Safety
Attorney General Wilson discussed his top priority for the state—public safety. He outlined a strong focus on combatting crime, particularly human trafficking, drug trafficking, and ensuring the safety of children in schools.
“Making public safety a core function of my administration is going to be something I’m going to focus heavily on,” Wilson said. “Whether it’s going after drug traffickers, fentanyl traffickers, human traffickers, online predators, protecting kids in schools, empowering parents, and the education of their children.”
Educational Reform on the Agenda
Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of education in building South Carolina’s economic future. She emphasized giving parents more control over their children’s education.
“Education is all about building the economic future of our state,” Weaver said. “We have to think about how we are preparing the workforce here in South Carolina for a strong and thriving future.”
Project 2025 and the Republican Vision
Paul Dans, Director of Project 2025, was another guest speaker, providing insights into the broader conservative movement’s efforts in South Carolina.
The Role of Dorchester County in South Carolina Politics
CJ Westfall, chairman of the Dorchester County Republican Party, highlighted the county’s significant influence in South Carolina politics, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to host such a pivotal event.
“We have an outsized voice in the conservative movement in the state of South Carolina,” Westfall said. “So, we’re full of gratitude to have these wonderful folks here tonight.”
Defending Conservative Values in Dorchester County
Event organizers emphasized the dinner’s mission to unite conservatives and provide a space to celebrate their values of faith, family, and freedom. Westfall voiced concerns over what he described as an attack on these values and emphasized the need to stand united.
“Our faith, our family, values, and our freedom are under attack right now,” Westfall said. “The Democrat party is going on offense in Dorchester County. They sense weakness, so that’s why we’re coming together to show that we’re going to defend Dorchester County.”
Fundraising for Future Conservative Efforts
Throughout the evening, the Dorchester County Republican Party also conducted fundraising efforts, ensuring the continued support of their political and community initiatives. The event ran from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., bringing together like-minded conservatives committed to South Carolina’s future.
