The world of politics just got hit with a major shake-up. The GOP has especially been hit with fireworks.
As this top Republican has launched a campaign that could completely change everything.
U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) has announced her decision to run for South Carolina’s 2026 gubernatorial race, aiming to succeed term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster with a promise to usher in a “Golden Age” for the state. The three-term congresswoman announced her campaign on Monday, positioning herself as a fierce advocate for conservative values and a disruptor of the status quo.
“I’m running for Governor of South Carolina to deliver for President Trump at the state level and export all radical policies out of the state of South Carolina,” Mace said to the New York Post. She didn’t hold back, slamming the state’s leadership for allowing issues like crime, judicial corruption, and misguided policies to fester.
“We’ve got statewide officials who were silent while a sanctuary sheriff let criminal illegal aliens who were r*pists, m*rderers and p*dophiles roam free. We’ve got corruption in our courts, predators getting sweetheart deals, and a political class more focused on protecting each other than protecting you,” she said.
Casting herself as an “America First” candidate, Mace boasted her congressional record, including her push to restrict transgender access to women’s facilities and legislation “protecting women from violent illegal aliens.”
Her campaign website launched with a video highlighting her “firebrand” reputation, showcasing her willingness to challenge even her own party. “Something is broken in South Carolina. They said stay quiet, I spoke up. They said play nice, I fought back. They said sit down, and I stood up,” she declared. “Corruption, chaos, cowardice — I’ve seen it all.”
Mace kicked off her campaign at The Citadel, her alma mater, where she made history in 1999 as the first female graduate of its Corps of Cadets. Speaking to supporters, she contrasted the current path with her vision for a revitalized state.
“We can continue doing the things we’ve always done, with weak leadership who turned a blind eye to sanctuary policies, who turned a blind eye to trannies invading women’s spaces, an unaccountable judicial process, and failed schools or we can chart a new course — one filled with common sense,” she said.
“I didn’t come to join the club. I came to shut it down,” she stated. “I’m running to make a difference and deliver real results.”
After her announcement, Mace is embarking on the “Mother of ALL Town Halls Tour,” starting in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, signaling her intent to connect directly with voters across South Carolina.
Her campaign comes as she faces a crowded Republican primary field. Some names include: Rep. Ralph Norman, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, state Attorney General Alan Wilson, and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
Tensions are already high, particularly with Wilson, whom Mace accused of ignoring evidence of alleged s*xual abuse by her ex-fiancé and others. Wilson called the claims “categorically false,” while Mace has been hit with a defamation lawsuit regarding the claims.
Early polls, like one from Targoz Market Research, show Mace with a small lead, but more than half of GOP primary voters remain undecided.
President Trump’s potential endorsement could be a game-changer. Mace’s relationship with Trump has been rocky—she criticized him after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot but later opposed his impeachment and endorsed him over Nikki Haley in 2024. Meanwhile, her rival Norman backed Haley, a divide that could shape the race.
Mace has built a national profile by diving into cultural debates, such as her push to restrict women’s facilities to biological women after Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) became the first openly transgender House member.
In 2023, she also joined a small group of conservatives to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, cementing her reputation as a disruptor.
In Republican-dominated South Carolina, the GOP primary is likely to decide the next governor. With her unapologetic style and ambitious agenda, Mace is betting she can rally voters to her vision.
“Get ready South Carolina. This isn’t just a campaign, this is a calling. You and me, this is where our mission begins. God’s not done with South Carolina and neither am I,” she said.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
