Photo courtesy of the Office of Rep. Nancy Mace
By BallotWire
2025
On August 4, 2025, U.S. Representative Nancy Mace officially launched her campaign for Governor of South Carolina with a rally at The Citadel, where she famously broke barriers as the first female graduate of the military college’s Corps of Cadets. “God’s not done with South Carolina, and neither am I,” Mace declared, setting the tone for a campaign that aims to position her as a fierce and unapologetic conservative in what is expected to be a closely watched Republican primary.
Mace cast herself as a staunch Trump ally—describing herself as “Trump in high heels”. Her platform features priorities, including eliminating South Carolina’s income tax, expanding school choice, opposing gender identity policies in public education, and strict immigration enforcement.
Her entry into the race immediately reshapes an already competitive GOP field. Term-limited Governor Henry McMaster’s departure has opened the door to a crowded Republican contest that includes Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and U.S. Representative Ralph Norman. Mace brings a unique combination of national visibility, media acumen, and a reputation for challenging establishment norms—branding herself as a political outsider within her party.
Mace's candidacy comes from South Carolina’s status as a reliably Republican state. The GOP has held the governor’s office since 2003, dominates the state legislature, and has delivered double-digit victories for Republican presidential nominees in recent elections. In such an environment, the Republican primary is often the de facto election, with the general election posing little threat to the eventual GOP nominee. As a result, Mace and her rivals are expected to campaign aggressively to appeal to the party’s conservative base.
As the 2026 gubernatorial race heats up, Mace will seek to harness her national profile, Trump-aligned brand, and combative political style to break through a crowded field in a state where Republican loyalty runs deep.