Blab Politics
Nancy Mace Finishes Fifth in South Carolina Republican Governor Primary, Leaving Future Uncertain
In a crowded field that tested loyalties and messaging, South Carolina’s Republican governor primary on June 9 saw Representative Nancy Mace finish fifth, a result that leaves her political trajectory in limbo. The race, which opened after incumbent Governor Henry McMaster’s term limit, is set to shape the state’s leadership and the balance of power in the legislature.
Mace’s campaign was a study in contrasts. Early in her congressional tenure she openly criticized former President Donald Trump for remarks about the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. As the governor race approached, she pivoted and sought Trump’s endorsement, a move that failed to secure the former president’s backing.
During the final stretch of the primary, Mace introduced a proposal to bar anyone not born in the United States from holding political office or serving as a judge. She also challenged fellow candidate Rom Reddy—who is a natural‑born citizen—by asserting, “I am born and made here in America.” The campaign struggled to raise funds, lacked television presence, and relied almost exclusively on social media, a strategy she had used since her 2017 election to the South Carolina House.
After the election, Mace issued a statement highlighting her congressional record. She emphasized her willingness to confront “the rich and powerful in both parties” and cited her vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, a decision that reportedly cost her support from some Republican colleagues.
The primary’s outcome left Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, who received Trump’s endorsement, and Attorney General Alan Wilson in a runoff scheduled for June 23. Mace, who had previously criticized Wilson for protecting child‑sex‑abuse defendants, announced her support for him in the runoff. She also criticized Evette, labeling her “NOT ENDORSED by DONALD TRUMP” and posted an AI‑generated image of herself with the former president—a claim that was incorrect.
Mace’s personal history adds another layer to the story. She left high school, worked as a server at a Waffle House, earned a diploma, and later became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets program. She has publicly spoken about being raped as a teenager.
The governor’s race is open because McMaster cannot seek a third term. The Republican primary is a key early contest, and the eventual nominee will face a Democratic opponent in the November 3 general election. Mace’s loss means she will not defend her U.S. House seat in 2026, and she has indicated that she may return to the private sector.
The upcoming runoff between Evette and Wilson will determine South Carolina’s Republican nominee for governor and set the tone for the state’s political direction in the coming years. Mace’s campaign, which highlighted her stances on national issues and her congressional record, failed to resonate with voters in a state that has historically leaned Republican.
The state’s political landscape now hinges on the runoff’s outcome and the subsequent general election, with voters and parties alike watching to see who will shape South Carolina’s future leadership.
Mace’s campaign was a study in contrasts. Early in her congressional tenure she openly criticized former President Donald Trump for remarks about the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. As the governor race approached, she pivoted and sought Trump’s endorsement, a move that failed to secure the former president’s backing.
During the final stretch of the primary, Mace introduced a proposal to bar anyone not born in the United States from holding political office or serving as a judge. She also challenged fellow candidate Rom Reddy—who is a natural‑born citizen—by asserting, “I am born and made here in America.” The campaign struggled to raise funds, lacked television presence, and relied almost exclusively on social media, a strategy she had used since her 2017 election to the South Carolina House.
After the election, Mace issued a statement highlighting her congressional record. She emphasized her willingness to confront “the rich and powerful in both parties” and cited her vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, a decision that reportedly cost her support from some Republican colleagues.
The primary’s outcome left Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, who received Trump’s endorsement, and Attorney General Alan Wilson in a runoff scheduled for June 23. Mace, who had previously criticized Wilson for protecting child‑sex‑abuse defendants, announced her support for him in the runoff. She also criticized Evette, labeling her “NOT ENDORSED by DONALD TRUMP” and posted an AI‑generated image of herself with the former president—a claim that was incorrect.
Mace’s personal history adds another layer to the story. She left high school, worked as a server at a Waffle House, earned a diploma, and later became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets program. She has publicly spoken about being raped as a teenager.
The governor’s race is open because McMaster cannot seek a third term. The Republican primary is a key early contest, and the eventual nominee will face a Democratic opponent in the November 3 general election. Mace’s loss means she will not defend her U.S. House seat in 2026, and she has indicated that she may return to the private sector.
The upcoming runoff between Evette and Wilson will determine South Carolina’s Republican nominee for governor and set the tone for the state’s political direction in the coming years. Mace’s campaign, which highlighted her stances on national issues and her congressional record, failed to resonate with voters in a state that has historically leaned Republican.
The state’s political landscape now hinges on the runoff’s outcome and the subsequent general election, with voters and parties alike watching to see who will shape South Carolina’s future leadership.
