Nancy Mace Launches South Carolina GOP Governor Bid/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Rep. Nancy Mace officially launched her 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial campaign. She faces strong GOP rivals and is seeking Trump’s endorsement, calling herself “Trump in high heels.”
Mace’s platform includes tax reform, school choice, and justice system improvements.
Nancy Mace Gubernatorial Bid + Quick Looks
- Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) formally enters South Carolina’s 2026 GOP governor’s race.
- Launch event held at The Citadel, where Mace was the first female graduate.
- Platform priorities: eliminating state income tax, boosting vocational education, and criminal justice reform.
- Mace brands herself as “Trump in high heels” and pledges to deliver his agenda locally.
- She highlights previous support for Trump, including efforts to elect House Speaker Mike Johnson.
- Mace has a complicated history with Trump, who initially opposed her reelection but later endorsed her.
- The GOP primary is already crowded, with AG Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and Rep. Ralph Norman in the race.
- Mace’s candidacy also comes amid ongoing legal drama involving defamation and abuse allegations tied to her ex-fiancé.
Deep Look
Rep. Nancy Mace Kicks Off Gubernatorial Campaign with Focus on Trump Agenda and Bold Platform
CHARLESTON, S.C. — South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace launched her bid for governor Monday, entering a competitive and crowded GOP primary field where alignment with former President Donald Trump is expected to be a major factor.
Speaking at The Citadel military college in Charleston — where she was the institution’s first female graduate — Mace rolled out a robust, conservative platform designed to appeal to Trump’s base and South Carolina voters eager for reform.
Her campaign, she told The Associated Press, will focus on abolishing the state income tax, reforming the criminal justice system, expanding vocational training and school choice, strengthening protections for women and children, and securing energy independence for South Carolina.
“I’m going to draw the line, and I’m going to hold it for South Carolina, and I’m going to put her people first,” said Mace, 47, highlighting her intent to bring Trump’s national priorities to the state level.
With official filing still months away, the 2026 race is already shaping up to be South Carolina’s first genuinely open gubernatorial contest in 16 years. Her declared competitors include state Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman — all Republicans with strong ties to the state’s political establishment and varying degrees of loyalty to Trump.
Mace, however, is leaning fully into her connection with the former president, calling herself “Trump in high heels.” She emphasized her past work for Trump’s 2016 campaign, her consistent support for his agenda in Congress, and her personal outreach to him to back Rep. Mike Johnson for House Speaker.
“No one will work harder to get his attention and his endorsement,” Mace told the AP. “No one else in this race can say they’ve been there for the president like I have.”
Though her relationship with Trump hit a rough patch after she criticized him following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot — prompting him to endorse a primary challenger against her in 2022 — she ultimately won reelection and received his endorsement in 2024.
The congresswoman’s gubernatorial launch follows a dramatic speech on the House floor in February, where she went public with allegations of abuse against her former fiancé, accusing him of recording non-consensual sexual acts and participating in criminal misconduct. Her ex-fiancé denied all claims, and another man named in the speech has since filed a defamation lawsuit.
“I want every South Carolinian to watch me as I fight for my rights as a victim,” Mace said, adding that her personal battles prove she has the grit to fight for constituents as governor.
Her gubernatorial campaign will be closely watched by political observers, particularly in light of her turbulent relationship with Trump and her controversial public disclosures. But in a state where Trump remains a dominant force, Mace’s pledge to champion his platform — while also distinguishing herself from traditional GOP candidates — could energize a wide base of support.
As she embarks on her bid for the governor’s mansion, Mace is hoping her mix of combativeness, charisma, and credentials as a trailblazing woman in South Carolina politics will carry her through what promises to be a bruising primary season.
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