Pence is headed back to the Palmetto State in April and May as part of a deliberate strategy to build support with conservative activists and Republican operatives in the state that hosts the third primary on the GOP nominating calendar — and first in the South. Leading this effort is the plugged-in national Republican strategist Chip Saltsman as well as Josh Kimbrell, a state senator described as an “ambassador” for Pence in South Carolina, with other party insiders quietly assisting.

“Vice President Pence is galvanizing his relationships in South Carolina with the evangelical community, which is a strong move on his part to begin to possibly shore up a base for a possible presidential run,” said Dave Wilson, president of the Palmetto Family Council, a prominent conservative group that hosted Pence early last year when he chose South Carolina for his first public event after exiting the West Wing…

Trump might seek the White House a third consecutive time. If so, say Republicans in South Carolina, the primary crown is all but his. Former state GOP Chairman Chad Connelly “anticipates, in 2022, the floodgates to open” with ambitious Republicans who parachute into South Carolina, officially to campaign for other Republicans but really to “test the waters” for 2024. But ultimately, he said, “they’re all waiting to see what President Trump does” before making major moves.