Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC), a prominent ally of President Donald J. Trump, launched her campaign for South Carolina governor on Monday — setting the stage for a heated GOP primary in one of the most reliably red states in the nation.

Mace, now serving her third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, made it clear she’s running on a boldly conservative, pro-Trump platform — and she’s not pulling any punches.

“I’m tired of politicians who smile for the cameras, lie to your face, and then vanish when it’s time to lead,” Mace declared. “I’m not one of them. I’m running for governor because South Carolina doesn’t need another empty suit. It needs a governor who will fight for you and your values.”

Her campaign launch video featured clips of President Trump praising her as a “fighter” — a clear signal to the MAGA base that she is firmly aligned with the America First movement.

Mace’s policy agenda includes a promise to:

• Freeze South Carolina’s general fund spending at $11.6 billion,
• Mandate annual 3–4% budget cuts across state agencies,
• Expand vocational and trade school access, and
• Defund any government office or agency that refuses to comply with state or federal law.

The campaign is already generating attention in a crowded GOP primary field that includes Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Ralph Norman (House Freedom Caucus), and a former prosecutor Mace has publicly criticized over a personal legal matter.

Mace, 47, brings a unique blend of military grit and political savvy to the race. In 1999, she made history as the first female cadet to graduate from The Citadel, South Carolina’s elite military college. She began her political career in 2018 and flipped a Democrat-held congressional seat in 2020, quickly becoming a conservative firebrand.

Though she was once critical of President Trump in the aftermath of January 6, 2021 — at one point calling for accountability and distancing herself from certain voices within the GOP — Mace never backed impeachment and has since become one of Trump’s most visible supporters in Congress.

In 2022, Trump endorsed a primary challenger against her. She won anyway. In 2024, she and Trump returned the favor by endorsing each other’s re-election bids.

“In fact, these fights are worth fighting for — whether we’re talking about illegal immigration or men in women’s spaces,” Mace told NewsNation Monday evening, defending her aggressive style. “There’s nothing combative about wanting a bigger, better, and brighter future for the entire state of South Carolina.”

She also blasted critics in the liberal press, adding:

“Contrary to the mainstream media, I’m actually one of the top legislative lawmakers in Congress.”

Throughout her NewsNation appearance, Mace emphasized her commitment to Trump’s America First agenda, attacking far-left Democrat policies and calling out progressive hypocrisy on issues ranging from taxes to women’s rights.

While mainstream outlets are quick to paint her as “controversial” or “combative,” her supporters say she’s exactly the kind of leader South Carolina needs in the post-2025 America First era.