Nancy Mace is weighing a run for governor of South Carolina, a race that could shake up Republican politics. The fiery congresswoman, known for fighting against transgender women in women’s bathrooms and lambasting illegal immigration, says she’ll make her decision soon. Mace’s potential bid comes as she seeks to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster in 2026.
As a loyal Trump supporter, Mace has made headlines for battling leftist policies like DEI initiatives. She’s mocked a Democratic transgender lawmaker and pushed for stricter border control – moves praised by conservatives. Though she criticized Trump after the Capitol riot, she later “buried the hatchet” and rode the MAGA wave to re-election in 2024.
Mace’s path to victory hinges on winning over GOP voters in Greenville County, a conservative stronghold. Political experts say she needs massive support there to survive the primary. Her challenge: balancing mainstream appeal with grassroots loyalty to the Trump base.
The congresswoman faces competition from other Republicans eyeing the governor’s mansion. But her outsider image and Trump ties give her an edge. McMaster’s departure leaves a power vacuum, and Mace wants to fill it with a promise to “protect our freedoms and fight for our values.”
South Carolina remains firmly red, with most political forecasters predicting a Republican win regardless of the nominee. Mace’s early momentum could solidify her as the frontrunner. Her decision – expected within days – will spark a fierce battle for the GOP nomination.
Conservatives see her as a warrior willing to take tough stances, unlike establishment figures. If she runs, Mace vows to “prosecute policies that put South Carolina first, not the swamp in DC.” Backed by Trump loyalists, she’s ready to “take back our state from woke ideologies.”
Mace’s final answer will determine if she trades Congress for the governor’s chair. Either way, her campaign would fuel debates over immigration, transgender rights, and Trump’s influence in the GOP. For now, all eyes are on her next move as South Carolina gears up for a pivotal election.