How McMaster’s interim DPH director is a political football in SC governor’s race
When Dr. Ed Simmer’s tenure at the helm of the state’s public health department came to an end May 14, Gov. Henry McMaster had to put someone in charge until he made a formal appointment.
McMaster picked Dr. Brannon Traxler to be the acting director of the Department of Public Health, a decision that led to criticism from those running for the Republican nomination for governor and forced the sitting lieutenant governor to share her views on Traxler.
Simmer, was unpopular among conservatives in the state following the former Department of Health and Environmental Control policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Simmer was the director when the DHEC split bill went into effect in 2024. That law named Simmer as the new Department of Public Health’s director, and McMaster formally nominated him for the role in November 2024. Because Simmer was not confirmed when the General Assembly adjourned sine die May 14, Simmer’s job ended.
The next day, McMaster named Traxler as the acting director. She has worked in medicine and public health for 18 years and was part of the state’s public health department’s COVID response.
“Dr. Traxler has spent her career improving the well-being of the people of South Carolina and has earned the trust and respect of those she has worked alongside,” McMaster said in a statement. “Her experience in medicine, surgery, and public health leadership gives her a strong understanding of the challenges facing our state and the expertise needed to lead the Department of Public Health.”
The Department of Public Health declined to comment for this story and referred questions to the governor’s office.
Despite McMaster’s words lauding Traxler, naming her the interim director was criticized by conservatives. Former Freedom Caucus Chairman Adam Morgan pointed that Traxler donated to President Joe Biden’s campaign in 2020 and other Democratic candidates.
And candidates for governor also pounced as a way to take a shot at Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who McMaster has endorsed in the race.
Attorney General Alan Wilson asked whether Evette had any role in naming Traxler.
“South Carolinians deserve answers from Pam Evette about why Dr. Traxler was selected to lead our Department of Public Health,” Wilson said. “Pam Evette has repeatedly said she is ‘in the room’ helping make important decisions in this administration, going so far as to claim she signed bills into law.”
Isle of Palms businessman Rom Reddy called Traxler “Simmer on Steroids” for her push for people to take vaccines.
“This is not reform. This is not listening to the people. This is institutional self-preservation. Makes us wonder what they are hiding from us,” Reddy said in an email to supporters. “If ever there is a reason to believe these career politicians will never fix the system and are tone-deaf to the needs of us citizens, this is a perfect example.”
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace called for Traxler to be removed from the job.
“This woman pushed mask mandates and shutdowns and called for President Trump to be impeached. How does this happen? Why does Pam support this?” Mace posted.
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman criticized the pick as well.
“This wouldn’t happen under a Norman administration!! I fought the COVID lockdown nonsense then, and as governor, I’d appoint leaders who believe in individual freedom and REAL science. Common sense matters!” Norman posted.
Evette responds
On social media Evette said she would not appoint Traxler to the role if she were governor. Evette said she supports medical freedom, would want a health director who protects parents’ rights and “makes decisions based on science, not woke politics.”
“If you don’t meet that, you aren’t getting appointed. Dr. Traxler is 0-for-3 and won’t be my nominee or part of the Evette Administration,” Evette posted.
Evette, while speaking to reporters in the State House, pushed back against her opponents attacks saying all Traxler is doing is filling a seat until a formal appointment is made.
Evette said she’s not worried the Traxler role would become a political liability for her.
“I think the people of South Carolina know who I am. I’ve made it very clear they want a business person that’s very clear on their views, and that’s what I’ve been giving them,” Evette said.
This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How McMaster’s interim DPH director is a political football in SC governor’s race."
