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United States Rep. Nancy Mace announced the launch of her 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial campaign in an effort to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McCaster in a statement initially shared with FOX News on Monday (August 4).
"I'm running to put South Carolina first," Mace said.
The firebrand three-term congresswoman claimed that "we can continue doing the things we’ve always done" while criticizing what she called "weak leadership" in South Carolina.
"Or we can chart a new course – one filled with common sense and bold policies to hold the line for South Carolina," she added.
Mace, 47, also launched a campaign website featuring a 10-point agenda she described as "a clear, conservative, common sense roadmap to rebuild South Carolina from the ground up."
Mace, the first woman to graduate from The Citadel's Corps of Cadets program in 1999, made an appearance at her alma mater Monday morning after confirming her gubernatorial campaign to FOX News.
"This morning I'm making it official," she said. "I'm running for governor because South Carolina doesn't need another empty suite."
Mace has served in the House of Representatives since 2021 and rose to prominence within the Republican Party as one of its outspoken congressional members, having drawn national attention for leaning into the culture wars, which included crusading to ensure women's facilities at the U.S. Capitol were restricted to biological women after Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) was elected as the first openly transgender member of the House.
Mace also joined Rep. Matt Gaetz and several other far-right conservatives to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023. South Carolina is a Republican stronghold state and the winner of the GOP primary would likely be elected in the gubernatorial race.