Mace to travel across South Carolina as she mulls run for governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace will travel across South Carolina in the coming weeks as she explores whether to run for governor in 2026.

“We’re here tonight because we’re very interested in hearing from Republicans across the state,” Mace said Monday ahead of remarks at the Richland County GOP meeting.

In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Mace signaled that she is interested in succeeding Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who is term-limited.

“I’ve been in the state Legislature before, I have great relationships in Washington now, and I’ve acquired the leadership necessary to be bold, to make sure that we are moving forward with conservative policies,” she told the outlet. “I have made a difference in the work that I have done up here, and know that I could do even more at the state level.”

Once telling The Hill she feels like she is on a political island, Mace initially billed herself as an independent voice in Congress that is fiscally conservative but more to the center on some social issues like abortion, supporting exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother.

But, Mace has shifted away from that moderate persona in recent months, leaning more heavily into cultural issues and adopting stances more aligned with the MAGA movement.  

“I am all in for making sure we make America great again, we make America healthy again, and we make America safe again, but also what this means for South Carolina,” she said.

Most recently, she made headlines for her efforts to bar transgender women from using biological women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol and on all federal property.

Filing for the race doesn’t open until next year, but Mace has already ramped up attacks against one likely Republican primary opponent: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

“He has no business even thinking about running for governor and I will take him out,” she said, portraying him as weak on border security and human trafficking.

When pressed by reporters on the work Wilson’s office has done to crack down on human trafficking and the numerous lawsuits he’s filed regarding illegal immigration, Mace doubled down, calling him a “do-nothing attorney general.”

“He’s one of the worst attorney generals in the entire country,” she added.

Wilson has not responded publicly to Mace’s comments.

The congresswoman, now in her third term representing the state’s 1st Congressional District, said she expects to make an official decision within the next two months.

“I’m talking to different constituencies, different groups, and right now, the backing we’re getting and interest in this is enormous,” Mace said, noting that plans to seek Trump’s support if she enters the race.

“Of course, I want to talk to the Trump team and see where they are on a run for governor,” she said. “I think that’s a very important conversation to have. Anyone that wants to run statewide — or any election really in 2026 or 2028 and beyond — will need the president’s support.”