Rep Nancy Mace Launches Bid for South Carolina Governor With Fiery Message

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) officially announced her candidacy for governor of South Carolina on Monday, setting the stage for a competitive 2026 Republican primary to succeed outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster, who is term-limited, as reported by The New York Post.

Mace’s announcement follows weeks of speculation and comes with a promise to usher in what she called South Carolina’s “Golden Age.”

Jun 13, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) arriving before a gathering with Former President Donald Trump at the Capitol Hill Club and Congressional House Republicans on June 13, 2024 on Capitol Hill. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

In a statement first obtained by Fox News, Mace said, “I’m running to put South Carolina first.” She criticized the state’s current leadership as “weak” and said:

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

“We can continue doing the things we’ve always done … Or we can chart a new course – one filled with common sense and bold policies to hold the line for South Carolina.”

Her campaign launched with a video emphasizing her willingness to challenge the status quo, even within her own party.

“Something is broken in South Carolina. They said stay quiet, I spoke up. They said play nice, I fought back. They said sit down, and I stood up,” Mace said in the video. “Corruption, chaos, cowardice — I’ve seen it all.”

She continued, “Get ready South Carolina. This isn’t just a campaign, this is a calling. You and me, this is where our mission begins. God’s not done with South Carolina and neither am I.”

Jul 17, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. speaks during the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum. The third day of the RNC focused on foreign policy and threats. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Mace will formally launch her campaign at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, on Monday morning. She made history at the institution in 1999 as its first female graduate from the Corps of Cadets.

Following the kickoff event, Mace is set to begin her “Mother of ALL Town Halls Tour” across the state, starting in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday.

Serving in Congress since 2021, Mace has become one of the more prominent and outspoken Republicans in Washington. Before her election to the House, she served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020.

She also challenged Sen. Lindsey Graham in the 2014 Republican primary, though she was unsuccessful.

Jan 22, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during the hearing where Russell Vought appeared before the Senate Budget Committee for a confirmation hearing and vote. President Donald Trump nominated Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was previously director of the Office of Management and Budget from July 2020 to January 2021. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

The Republican primary field for governor is shaping up to be competitive. Other declared candidates include Rep. Ralph Norman, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Mace has already clashed publicly with Wilson, accusing him of ignoring evidence in a sexual abuse case she raised involving her ex-fiancé. Wilson has denied the allegations and called them “categorically false.” He has filed a defamation lawsuit against Mace over the claims.

Recent polling, including from Targoz Market Research, shows Mace with a slight lead over the field, although more than half of Republican primary voters remain undecided.

One of the key questions in the primary will be whether President Donald Trump makes an endorsement. Mace previously criticized Trump over the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest but later voted against his impeachment.

Trump endorsed Katie Arrington in 2022 as a primary challenger to Mace. However, in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, Mace endorsed Trump over her fellow South Carolinian, former Gov. Nikki Haley.

President Donald Trump speaks during the American 250 kickoff event on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrouds.

Rep. Ralph Norman supported Haley and was one of only two House Republicans to do so, along with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE).

Mace has garnered national attention for her stance on cultural issues. In 2023, she supported legislation ensuring that women’s facilities remain exclusive to biological females, following the election of Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first openly transgender member of Congress.

That same year, she joined seven other Republicans, led by then-Rep. Matt Gaetz, in the effort to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

With South Carolina considered a Republican stronghold, the eventual GOP nominee is expected to have a strong advantage in the 2026 general election.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.

Read the full article here