Lowcountry Rep. Nancy Mace kicks off run for South Carolina Governor

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace is officially throwing her hat in the ring for a long-anticipated gubernatorial run.

In a video posted to her website, which now reads “Nancy Mace for Governor,” Mace uses instances of media coverage and television interviews compiled into a highlight reel serving as an announcement. In it, she markets herself as a “firebrand Republican,” highlighting her status as the first woman to ever graduate from The Citadel and citing it as the reason that she “will not be bullied into silence.”

Like several other contenders in the race to the South Carolina Governor’s Mansion next fall, Mace also put a spotlight on praise she has received from President Donald Trump, who called her a fighter, saying that “when she sets her sight on something, she’s tough.”

Mace made her full announcement Monday at 7:30 a.m. during an event held at the Capers Hall Courtyard at The Citadel.

Her announcement puts her in what is already a packed race to replace current South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who has reached his term limit and is no longer eligible to run for reelection.

So far, a variety of Republican candidates have kicked off campaigns, from South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to Rep. Ralph Norman and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, with others rumored to be flirting with a run.

No Democrats have announced a run, but state Rep. Jermaine Johnson of Richland County did launch an exploratory committee looking into the possibility of a run back in May. South Carolina has not had a Democrat as governor since 2003.

Bigger endorsements, like that of the president, at this stage, with nearly a year until candidates can file to run or until South Carolinians can vote in a primary, are unlikely; however, several Sheriffs throughout the state, including those in the Tri-County area—parts of which Mace represents—have thrown support behind Wilson’s run already, and Norman received the support of former Gov. Nikki Haley.

In her announcement, Mace said her priorities were focused on rebuilding the state, launching a campaign rooted in policies such as a zero-tolerance policy for crime, an end to the state income tax and judicial overhaul.

She also advocated for the expansion of school choice, trade schools and vocational education and finding solutions to the energy crisis she says South Carolina may soon face.

Mace vowed to, if she is elected as Governor, protect women and children by blocking “the radical gender agenda” and said she has no plans to work within the rules of “the establishment.”

She ended her speech with a promise to “hold the line” and put South Carolina first.

Mace and her team say her campaign is led by the vision of “The Path to Prosperity,” with hopes to create a stronger South Carolina.

Watch her full announcement below: