Rep. Nancy Mace, a prominent South Carolina Republican, officially announced her candidacy for governor of the Palmetto State.
Mace, a three-term House member representing a coastal district in South Carolina, stated, “I’m running to prioritize South Carolina’s interests,” in a statement exclusively shared with Fox News Digital.
Launching her campaign, Mace criticized the current leadership in the state, advocating for a new direction with common-sense policies to benefit South Carolina.
She unveiled a 10-point agenda on her campaign website, outlining a conservative approach to rebuild the state.
Mace’s campaign policy event took place at the Citadel in Charleston, her alma mater and South Carolina’s public military college.
Joining a competitive GOP primary field for the 2026 governor race, Mace aims to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster.
Other candidates seeking the Republican nomination include South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, along with Republican Rep. Ralph Norman.
In a recent interview, Mace emphasized a head-to-head competition between her and Wilson, vowing to challenge the Attorney General’s record.
Despite facing accusations from Mace regarding sexual assault cases, Wilson denied the claims, labeling Mace as a liar attempting to deflect attention.
Mace’s journey from dropping out of high school to becoming the first female graduate of the Citadel’s Corps of Cadets showcases her determination. She later won a seat in Congress in 2020.
While critical of former President Trump’s actions surrounding the Capitol attack in 2021, Mace secured re-election after Trump’s endorsement in 2022.
Trump’s influence within the GOP remains significant, with Mace aiming to earn his support in her gubernatorial bid.
Emphasizing her stance on cultural issues, Mace pledged to uphold “biological reality” and combat what she termed as a “radical gender agenda.”
Reporter Paul Steinhauser, based in New Hampshire, covers political campaigns across the country.
