Republican U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace formally announced her campaign for governor of South Carolina. Mace launched her campaign on the campus of The Citadel, her alma mater, where she became the first woman to graduate from the Cadets in 1999.
In her announcement, Mace stated, “God’s not done with South Carolina and neither am I,” positioning herself as a bold, unapologetic conservative and adopting the branding of “Trump in high heels” to emphasize her alignment with President Donald Trump.
Nancy Mace’s campaign platform focuses on eliminating the state income tax, implementing tough-on-crime policies, expanding school choice, banning the use of preferred pronoun requirements in classrooms, opposing transgender initiatives in schools, and overhauling the judicial system.
A key flashpoint in Nancy Mace’s campaign is her public feud with Attorney General Alan Wilson, a fellow Republican and a candidate in the same GOP primary.
Mace labeled Wilson the state’s “Do-Nothing Attorney General,” asserting he “ignored evidence” and delayed prosecution despite her pleas. Wilson categorically denied her claims.
This personal and political confrontation has escalated tensions between the two candidates, raising the prospect of a bitter and highly personal GOP primary contest.
Nancy Mace’s campaign launch at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina carries significant symbolic weight. In 1999, she broke a historic barrier by becoming the first woman to graduate from its Corps of Cadets.
By launching her campaign at The Citadel, Mace aimed to highlight her outsider credentials and independence.
Mace enters a crowded GOP primary field that also includes Alan Wilson, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and Representative Ralph Norman. With Governor Henry McMaster term-limited, this marks the first open race in 16 years, making the winner of the GOP primary heavily favored in the November 2026 general election.