Nancy Mace Declares Candidacy for South Carolina Governor in 2026

Representative Nancy Mace has officially launched her campaign to become the next governor of South Carolina, asserting that her service is not yet complete. She aims to succeed the current governor, Henry McMaster, who is term-limited. Mace, 47, who has served three terms in Congress, emphasized her commitment to advancing an “America First” agenda and fighting corruption at the state level.

In her announcement, Mace criticized local officials for their silence amid issues such as sanctuary policies and criminal activity involving illegal aliens, as well as judicial corruption and political self-preservation. She declared, “This isn’t just a campaign—it’s a calling,” and vowed to bring about change through a focus on crime reduction, tax elimination, judicial reform, energy permitting, school choice, and vocational education.

She positioned herself as a reform-minded leader, criticizing the current political establishment and urging voters to “continue doing the things we’ve always done, with weak leadership,” or to choose a new direction based on common sense. Her campaign launch was accompanied by a video highlighting her reputation as a bold, sometimes confrontational, voice in politics.

Mace’s bid opens the door for her to challenge several other Republicans for the nomination, including Rep. Ralph Norman, State Senator Josh Kimbrell, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. She has previously clashed with Wilson, notably accusing him of ignoring her allegations of sexual abuse, which led to a defamation lawsuit against her.

The race’s outcome may hinge on whether former President Trump endorses her, given her past criticisms of him and recent support for his 2024 campaign. With South Carolina’s political landscape strongly leaning Republican, the winner of the primary is widely expected to secure the governorship, as Democrats have not won the office since 1998.