
Nancy Mace Weighs South Carolina Gubernatorial Run in 2026
By CC News Network
WASHINGTON, D.C. — South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace announced Wednesday she is “seriously considering” a run for governor in 2026, with a final decision expected in the coming weeks.
In an interview the Associated Press, Nancy Mace, who secured her third term representing South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District last year, expressed confidence in her leadership abilities and pointed to her relationships in Washington and experience in state politics as reasons she could make a significant impact as governor.
“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,” Mace told the AP. “I know that I could do even more at the state level.”

If she enters the race, Nancy Mace said she plans to ask for the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, whose popularity remains strong in South Carolina. Trump backed Mace in her 2022 GOP primary race and has maintained his influence in the state since his decisive 2016 primary victory.
Mace has already begun raising her profile statewide. Recently, she introduced a resolution in Congress to ban transgender women from using women’s bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings, a move targeting social issues popular among conservatives.
However, she acknowledged the importance of expanding her reach beyond her Charleston-area district into more conservative areas, including the Upstate and Midlands. “As I explore running for governor, I will go to every county,” Mace said. “I need to spend time in the Upstate, the Midlands, Horry County, and Myrtle Beach.”
Mace’s 1st Congressional District, South Carolina’s only swing district, has been hotly contested in recent years. Though Trump won the state by 18 points in 2020, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris carried Charleston County, a fact that underscores the district’s political volatility.
The 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial race is already attracting attention, with Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette among others rumored to be exploring bids. “Everyone I’ve heard of, every name I’ve heard, they’re all nice people,” Mace said. “But they don’t have that ability to kick ass and take names and make some of the tough decisions that are going to be needed to move our state forward.”
Nancy Mace believes Trump’s support could be key to her success. “Trump is going to need people in governor seats in ’26,” she said. “We need people who can win, win big, and implement his agenda, and I will do that. I will be asking him for his support statewide in South Carolina.”
Mace plans to decide on her gubernatorial run by late February or early March. “Anyone who will have me to talk about the agenda for South Carolina, I will meet them,” she said.
The South Carolina governorship remains a coveted position in Republican politics, offering a platform for potential national influence. If Mace enters the race, it promises to be one of the most closely watched contests in the state’s political history.
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