Rep. Nancy Mace Announces Bid for Governor of South Carolina, Promises Hardline Stance on Immigration

Strategic Insights -

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a former critic of President Donald Trump who became one of his most outspoken defenders on Capitol Hill, has announced her bid for governor of South Carolina. Mace has built a name for herself through bombastic stunts, including pushing to ban the first openly transgender person elected to Congress from using the women's restroom and voting to eject Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House. Her platform focuses on immigration and cutting the state's income tax to zero in five years, with promises to work closely with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport undocumented immigrants.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mace announced her bid for governor of South Carolina in a speech at the Citadel, the state's military college, where she became the first woman to graduate.
  • Mace has a history of taking hardline stances, including pushing to ban the first openly transgender person elected to Congress from using the women's restroom and voting to eject Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House.
  • Mace's platform includes cutting the state's income tax to zero in five years and working closely with ICE to deport undocumented immigrants.
  • Mace has a crowded field of opponents, including fellow Rep. Ralph Norman and state attorney general Al Wilson.
  • Mace initially came to Washington after serving in South Carolina's state legislature, where she staged a primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in 2014.
  • Mace later worked on the 2016 Trump campaign in the Palmetto State and was initially critical of Trump after the January 6 riot.

Statistics:

  • Mace has announced her bid for governor of South Carolina.
  • Mace has a history of taking hardline stances on issues such as immigration and transgender rights.
  • 15: the number of gender options alledgedly offered by Clemson University.
  • 2014: the year Mace staged a primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).
  • 2020: the year Mace beat former Democratic congressman Joe Cunningham in South Carolina's 1st district.
  • 2022: the year Mace's primary opponent Katie Arrington was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Sources:

  • "Rep. Nancy Mace announces bid for governor of South Carolina" (exact title not provided)
  • Associated Press
  • The Independent
  • Vice News