Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) publicly acknowledged that she’s eyeing a 2026 gubernatorial run — probably establishing the firebrand member of Congress for an additional statewide run.
Mace has lengthy been rumored to be contemplating a bid, with Gov. Henry McMaster termed-out in 2026. However Mace made her plans public this week, telling the Associated Press she is “severely contemplating” coming into the governor’s race subsequent yr.
Mace, who’s serving her third time period in Congress, has made headlines pushing two of President Donald Trump’s rallying causes: preventing DEI and unlawful immigration. Mace introduced ahead the decision to ban transgender ladies from utilizing ladies’s bogs within the U.S. Capitol, and has repeatedly mocked first-term Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), the primary transgender member of Congress, with insults about her gender identification.
Trump backed Mace in her GOP main race for South Carolina’s 1st District final yr, and he or she has lately solid herself as a die-hard supporter of the president. However Trump and Mace haven’t at all times been on the identical web page politically. She closely criticized Trump after the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol and made calls to “rebuild the Republican Get together.” In 2022, Trump endorsed her main challenger, calling her “disloyal.” Mace later stated she was able to “bury the hatchet” — throwing her assist behind Trump in 2024, and driving the MAGA practice since.
Trump carried South Carolina simply in all three of his presidential runs. Mace and different Republicans will likely be competing for Trump’s endorsement, which may very well be determinative within the main.
Ought to she enter the race, she’ll possible face competitors from a number of different South Carolina politicians. State Legal professional Common Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette are additionally potential candidates, amongst others.
“Trump goes to want folks in governor seats in ’26,” Mace informed the AP. “In ’26, we’d like individuals who can win, win huge, and implement his agenda, and I’ll do this.”
Mace stated she’ll be making a ultimate resolution within the coming weeks, however must spend extra time in different elements of the state first. She ran statewide in 2014 in a main to Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), however completed a distant fifth.
“I’ve been within the state Legislature earlier than, I’ve nice relationships in Washington now, and I’ve acquired the management essential to be daring, to make it possible for we’re transferring ahead with conservative insurance policies,” Mace stated.
