Full Breakdown
Nancy Mace’s Primary Defeat Highlights Trump’s Enduring Grip on South Carolina GOP
6/11/2026, 4:23:16 AM
Core Event – Primary Outcome
On June 9, 2026, Rep. Nancy Mace finished a distant fifth in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary, securing roughly one-tenth of the vote and failing to advance to the June 23 runoff. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (Trump-endorsed) and Attorney General Alan Wilson moved on as the top two candidates.
Background & Context – The Race and Trump’s Role
The open governor’s seat, vacated by term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster, attracted five major GOP contenders: Mace, Evette, Wilson, Rep. Ralph Norman, and businessman Rom Reddy. President Donald Trump withheld an endorsement until the final weeks, ultimately backing Evette and describing her as “the only South Carolina gubernatorial candidate to endorse me as soon as I launched my 2024 presidential campaign.” Mace’s campaign, built on a strong social-media presence after her 2017 election to the state House, struggled to raise funds and lacked television exposure.
Key Figures & Groups
- Nancy Mace – U.S. Rep., first woman to graduate from The Citadel, former Trump field director, vocal advocate for releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files.
- Donald Trump – Former president, whose late endorsement proved decisive in the primary.
- Pamela Evette – Lt. Gov., Trump-backed, business founder of Quality Business Solutions.
- Alan Wilson – State Attorney General, reserve National Guard colonel, son of Rep. Joe Wilson.
- Ralph Norman – U.S. Rep., Freedom Caucus member, early Trump supporter.
- Rom Reddy – Self-funded businessman, naturalized citizen of Indian-Italian descent.
Timeline
- 2017 – Mace elected to South Carolina House.
- 2020 – Mace wins U.S. House seat in Charleston district.
- Late 2025 – Mace joins bipartisan effort to discharge the Jeffrey Epstein files.
- May 2026 – Trump announces endorsement of Evette on Truth Social.
- June 9, 2026 – Primary election; Mace places fifth.
- June 23, 2026 – Scheduled runoff between Evette and Wilson.
Data & Statistics
- Evette: ~29 % (TPM) / 29.1 % (TPM).
- Wilson: ~26 % (TPM) / 26.5 % (TPM).
- Norman: 16.4 % (TPM).
- Reddy: 14.9 % (TPM).
- Mace: 11.4 % (TPM) and 12 % (TMZ), both reporting a fifth-place finish.
Why It Matters / Impact
Mace’s loss underscores the continuing power of a Trump endorsement in South Carolina politics and illustrates the electoral risk of diverging from the former president on high-profile issues such as the Epstein files. The outcome also leaves Mace’s congressional seat open for a private-sector return, while the runoff will likely determine the GOP’s gubernatorial nominee in a state that has not elected a Democrat governor since 1998.
Official Statements & Responses
- Mace’s concession emphasized principle over politics, noting her vote to release the Epstein files cost her support and that she remains “at peace” with that choice.
- Trump’s endorsement framed Evette as a steadfast ally, reinforcing his pattern of rewarding loyalty.
- Evette’s campaign highlighted her fundraising advantage (? $3.5 M total, $1 M personal) and alignment with McMaster’s administration.
Criticism & Opposition
Mace faced an ethics investigation for allegedly overbilling $9,500 in a congressional housing program and criticism for a 2025 airport security incident. Her attacks on Wilson (“When children needed him to act, Wilson looked the other way”) and the claim that Evette lacked Trump’s endorsement were also contested.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Mace’s exact vote share (11.4 % vs. 12 %) and on the precise order of finish beyond “fifth place.” Detailed precinct-level results have not been released, limiting analysis of geographic voting patterns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I didn’t come out of a slum in India,” — Nancy Mace, campaign appearance in Greenville County.
- “Pamela Evette is NOT ENDORSED by DONALD TRUMP,” — Nancy Mace, social-media post.
- “I voted to release the Epstein files and lost some support for that. As a survivor, I chose to stand on principle and stand against the Epstein cover-up. I chose to expose the names hidden in the sexual harassment slush fund. I chose to expose DEI judges. I chose to expose the abusers of children. And apparently, I chose wrong if the goal was winning an election,” — Nancy Mace, post-primary statement.
- “I've seen what happens when good people stay quiet. And I've seen what happens when they don’t. I would choose the latter every single time.” — Nancy Mace, concession remarks.
- “When children needed him to act, Wilson looked the other way,” — Nancy Mace, criticism of Attorney General Wilson.
- “Because when a candidate is OK with corruption and cover-ups – something is broken.” — Nancy Mace, reflective comment.
What’s Next
Evette and Wilson will contest the June 23 runoff, with the winner poised to become the GOP’s likely governor in a state that heavily favors Republicans. Mace has indicated a possible return to the private sector after her House term ends, leaving her future political role uncertain.
