• Rep. Nancy Mace officially announced her campaign for South Carolina governor Monday morning.
  • Mace, a former Congresswoman and GOP firebrand, cited economic issues, crime, and “gender-bending ideology” in colleges as reasons to run.
  • She faces a crowded GOP primary including Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.

COLUMBIA, SC (TDR) — Rep. Nancy Mace formally launched her campaign for governor of South Carolina Monday, announcing her candidacy at The Citadel, the prestigious military college where she made history as the first woman to graduate from the Corps of Cadets in 1999.

“This morning, I’m making it official. I am running to be your governor of the great state of South Carolina,” Mace declared to supporters, emphasizing her roots in the state and her commitment to conservative values.

Political Background and Recent Profile

Mace, 47, who first won a seat in Congress in 2021, has earned a reputation as a fiery conservative voice in recent months. She gained national attention for spearheading efforts to restrict restroom use in the Capitol following the historic election of the first transgender member of Congress. Additionally, she has taken a combative stance on immigration policy, clashing with Democratic witnesses during a House Oversight Committee hearing by accusing some Democratic mayors of having “blood on your hands.”

Shifts and Stances in GOP Politics

While Mace has embraced a more hardline GOP profile recently, she previously held more moderate positions. Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, she urged Republican colleagues to moderate their stance on abortion, warning against alienating voters, even as Democrats defied expectations. In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Mace was critical of former President Trump, questioning his future in the party — a position she later reversed by endorsing his 2024 bid. Notably, Mace defeated a primary challenger backed by Trump himself in 2022, underscoring her independent political base.

2023 Leadership Challenges

In 2023, Mace was part of a group of eight Republicans who voted to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which ignited a proxy fight during her 2024 primary. Despite opposition from McCarthy supporters, Mace ultimately prevailed.

Campaign Focus and Competitors

Last week, Mace told Fox News that she was leaning toward a statewide run, focusing on issues like the state’s economy, crime rates, and what she termed “gender-bending ideology” spreading in colleges. These topics formed the foundation of her campaign announcement Monday.

The Republican primary in South Carolina is shaping up to be competitive, with Rep. Ralph Norman and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette already in the race. Mace acknowledged their presence and strengths on the campaign trail but expressed confidence in her early lead.

Addressing the entrance of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who announced his own gubernatorial bid last month, Mace framed the contest as a battle for the party’s soul. “If I get in, we’re starting out front, in the lead, and it’s a two-man race,” she said. “I will fight to the finish and I will take out South Carolina’s attorney general because he’s turned a blind eye on women and on children and on the state for a lot of reasons.”

Mace’s campaign promises to bring conservative vigor and a combative stance on social issues to the gubernatorial race as South Carolina voters prepare for what is expected to be a heated Republican primary.

Can Nancy Mace overcome a crowded field and secure the GOP nomination for governor?

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