What Happened to Nancy Ruth Mace?

Nancy Ruth Mace, born December 4, 1977, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, carved a unique path in American politics. She gained early recognition in 1999 as the first woman to graduate from the Corps of Cadets program at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where her father was commandant. After earning a master's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia, Mace entered politics, initially volunteering for Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign and later working for Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

Mace's electoral career began in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where she served from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, she successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, flipping South Carolina's 1st congressional district back to Republican control by defeating incumbent Democrat Joe Cunningham, becoming the first Republican woman elected to Congress from South Carolina. She secured re-election in 2022 and again in 2024, defeating Democratic challenger Michael B. Moore.

Throughout her time in Congress, Mace has often taken a high-profile and sometimes controversial stance. She was one of eight House Republicans who voted to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023, citing a 'perceived lack of trust' and unfulfilled commitments. Mace has also been a vocal advocate for women's safety, sharing her personal experiences as a survivor of sexual assault and advocating for rape and incest exceptions to abortion bans. However, her views on LGBTQ+ rights have evolved, moving from an ally stance to a more conservative position, including introducing a resolution to ban transgender women from using women's restrooms in the Capitol.

As of 2025 and early 2026, Mace's political focus shifted towards her home state. On August 4, 2025, she officially announced her candidacy for the 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election, stating her intention to 'fight for you and your values' and not seek re-election to her congressional seat. This decision set the stage for a competitive Republican primary, where she faces opponents including Attorney General Alan Wilson. Recent polling in March 2026 indicates Mace is leading the field for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.

However, her gubernatorial bid has been accompanied by recent challenges. In October 2025, Mace was involved in an incident at Charleston International Airport, where she reportedly used strong language with law enforcement over a delayed escort, though her team attributed it to security concerns. More significantly, on March 2, 2026, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into allegations that Mace improperly claimed over $9,000 in housing reimbursements for her Washington D.C. property. Mace's office has dismissed the allegations as 'fundamentally flawed' and accused the Office of Congressional Conduct of being partisan. Despite these developments, Mace continues her legislative work, with her 'Skills-Based Federal Contracting Act' passing the House unanimously in February 2026, and she continues to advocate for election integrity legislation.