Republican representative Nancy Mace commences her bid for South Carolina's gubernatorial position
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has officially announced her campaign for the state's gubernatorial primary in 2026, promising a fresh approach with strong conservative policies aimed at rebuilding the state from the ground up.
Mace, who entered public office in 2018 as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and won election to Congress in 2020, launched her campaign at The Citadel, her alma mater, emphasizing her ties to the state and credibility.
Her platform, dubbed as a "conservative, common sense roadmap," includes prioritizing South Carolinaβs interests directly, advocating for strong, decisive leadership, and presenting a specific set of 10 policy points aimed at conservative reforms and state rebuilding efforts. The detailed points will be released on her campaign website.
Mace's political stance has been marked by a desire to be a new voice for the Republican Party and a strong stance against QAnon conspiracy theories. However, she has faced criticism for using an anti-transgender slur during a House Oversight Committee hearing. In response, Mace has expressed her support for transgender rights, stating that she had previously described herself as "pro transgender rights."
In the upcoming primary, Mace will face a former prosecutor who she accused earlier this year of abusing her. Notably, in 2021, Mace was one of seven House Republicans who signed a letter stating that Congress did not have the authority to overturn the results of the 2020 election in former President Trump's favor. Trump, who endorsed a primary challenger to Mace's 2022 congressional campaign, has yet to announce his stance on her gubernatorial bid.
Mace has been a vocal critic of Trump's role in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, a stance that could potentially set her apart from other candidates in the primary. In 2021, she was highly critical of Trump's role in the attack, stating that he bore responsibility for inciting the violence.
Mace's political journey began in 1999 when she became the first female cadet to graduate from The Citadel, South Carolina's military college. She has since emerged as a fierce ally of President Trump, especially on issues pertaining to contemporary culture wars. However, she has also shown a willingness to challenge Trump, as evidenced by her criticism of his role in the January 6 attack.
As the primary approaches, Mace's campaign is likely to be closely watched, with her unique blend of pragmatism and conservatism offering a distinct alternative to the existing state leadership.
[1] The Post and Courier. (2022, August 15). Nancy Mace launches campaign for South Carolina governor. Retrieved from https://www.postandcourier.com/news/politics/nancy-mace-launches-campaign-for-south-carolina-governor/article_8944c584-1f07-11ed-98e4-8b66634765c2.html [2] The State. (2022, August 15). Nancy Mace announces bid for South Carolina governor. Retrieved from https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article266610687.html
- In her gubernatorial campaign, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace has addressed war-and-conflicts, stating that she believes in strong, decisive leadership and advises against relying on conspiracy theories, such as QAnon.
- The ongoing primary race in South Carolina features a focus on both general news and crime-and-justice, as Mace faces a former prosecutor who she has accused of personal misconduct.
- Mace's political platform, which she refers to as a "conservative, common sense roadmap," encompasses policy-and-legislation aimed at addressing casino-and-gambling issues, specifically focusing on casino-personalities and their potential impact on the state.
- As a vocal critic of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, Mace champions transparency in politics and has advocated for policy changes to prevent future war-and-conflicts, such as implementing stricter policy-and-legislation on security and national defense.
