NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C — Pamela Evette chose Horry County over the Republican gubernatorial debate Tuesday night.

The South Carolina lieutenant governor, who is running for the state’s highest office, said passing on the Spartanburg debate was an easy decision.

“I think it’s really important to get out, get the people out, get them energized to vote,” Evette said after a campaign event at the Barefoot Conference Center. “…I have been the most accessible candidate for governor that there is on the platform. I’ve been to all the governor’s forums. I’ve been to a debate. I’ve been to 46 counties multiple times just campaigning.

“This is where the rubber meets the road.”

Candidates attending the debate at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. were South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman and businessman Rom Reddy.

Recent polling indicates that it remains a close race for the Republican nomination as early voting is now underway.

Mace and Wilson both took aim at Evette for not being at the debate. 

“She’s not here tonight but Pamela Evette has taken credit for all the great decisions that Governor McMaster has ever made, but basically said she had no power when he made a decision that people didn’t like,” Wilson said.

“[The four] of us had the courage to step into the arena tonight, leaving one outside that didn’t have the courage to be here this evening — this is a job interview. She didn’t have the courage to be here and I’m going to praise everyone up here on stage tonight for being here, jumping into the arena. This is not easy. You put everything, your life on hold for this tonight. Thank you for joining the stage,” Mace said.

Evette, who has been lieutenant governor nearly eight years, was in Horry County for the second day in a row. She attended the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Myrtle Beach on Memorial Day.