Nancy Mace Dominates CC News Network Poll in Landslide, Surges Ahead in 2026 GOP Governor’s Race

12,812 votes cast in one of South Carolina’s most engaged political polls this cycle

By James Seidel | CC News Network | South Carolina Politics

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The votes are in—and the message is unmistakable.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has surged to a decisive victory in the CC News Network South Carolina Republican gubernatorial poll, capturing a commanding 44.31% of the vote in what amounts to a clear early landslide.

The poll, which ran from April 27 through May 1 at 12 p.m., drew an extraordinary 12,812 total votes, making it one of the most widely participated political engagement polls in South Carolina this election cycle.

MACE PULLS AWAY — AND DOESN’T LOOK BACK

Mace didn’t just win—she separated.

Finishing with 5,677 votes, Mace outpaced her nearest competitor, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, who secured 34.68% (4,443 votes). The nearly 10-point margin places Mace firmly in the driver’s seat as the Republican field begins to take shape.

Attorney General Alan Wilson finished a distant third with 12.93% (1,656 votes), while Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette followed with 6.89% (883 votes).

The rest of the field—including Rom Reddy, Josh Kimbrell, and undecided voters—registered minimal support, reinforcing what is quickly becoming a top-tier race led by Mace.

THE MESSAGE DRIVING MACE’S MOMENTUM

Mace’s dominant showing aligns with a campaign centered on aggressive economic reform and cost-of-living relief—anchored by one of the boldest proposals in the race.

“South Carolina is the fastest-growing state in the nation. It is time to become the most affordable,” Mace has said.

At the center of her platform is the “Five Years to Zero” plan, aimed at eliminating the state income tax entirely.

“Within the first year of Five Years to Zero, we can cut your state income tax by 47%,” Mace said.
“We are the only candidate in this race with a plan to get us to ZERO state income tax.”

Combined with positions on border enforcement, energy independence, school choice, and cultural policy issues, Mace’s platform appears to be resonating strongly with Republican voters actively engaged in the race.

NORMAN COMPETITIVE — BUT CLEARLY SECOND

Norman’s 34.68% showing confirms he remains a serious contender with a strong base of support. His focus on fiscal conservatism and pro-business policy continues to appeal to a significant portion of GOP voters.

But the numbers tell the story:

Mace isn’t just leading—she’s setting the pace.

WILSON TRAILS, FIELD BEGINS TO SEPARATE

For Attorney General Alan Wilson, the results may signal early challenges in gaining traction.

Despite statewide name recognition, his 12.93% finish places him well outside the top tier in this poll, suggesting the race may already be narrowing into a smaller group of viable contenders.

A POLL DEFINED BY SCALE AND ENGAGEMENT

The CC News Network poll, hosted on CrimeAndCask.com using the YOP Poll platform, generated 12,812 votes in just four days—a level of participation that far exceeds traditional polling sample sizes, which typically range from 500 to 1,200 respondents.

While the poll is not scientific and does not use randomized sampling, its scale provides a powerful snapshot of grassroots engagement and voter enthusiasm at this early stage of the race.

WHAT COMES NEXT

South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary is expected in June 2026, with a runoff likely if no candidate secures a majority.

As campaigns ramp up and key endorsements loom—particularly from former President Donald Trump—the dynamics of the race could shift quickly.

But for now, the early momentum belongs to one candidate based on our latest poll.

THE BOTTOM LINE

In a crowded field searching for separation, Nancy Mace has it—and by a wide margin.

And if early engagement is any indicator,
she’s not just leading the race—she’s defining it.

Media Use & Distribution Notice

CC News Network is making the results of this poll available for republication and media use.

News organizations, broadcasters, and digital outlets are permitted to cite, reference, and republish the findings, graphics, and data from this report at no cost, provided proper attribution is given to:

“CC News Network” of South Carolina

This poll was conducted online from April 27 through May 1, 2026, generating 12,812 total responses for 13,717 visits. While not a scientific poll, it represents one of the most highly engaged public political surveys in South Carolina this election cycle.

For interview requests, data verification, or media inquiries, contact:
James Seidel | Publisher, CC News Network

About the Author

James Seidel

Administrator

About the CC News Network James Seidel: Publisher, Award Winning Journalist, Author. Investigator, Podcaster, Talk Show Host, and Music Producer. The CC News Network is a distinguished media company in the world of South Carolina News, Weather, Sports and True Crime. At the beginning, James Seidel was only known as Crime and Cask and well known for his relentless pursuit of truth and justice in the Alex Murdaugh trial. As a journalist, author, investigator, radio talk show host, and record producer he has made significant contributions to uncovering some of the most complex and high-profile criminal cases of our time.

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