Republican Rep., Nancy Mace of South Carolina, has clinched renomination in a fiercely contested primary race against Catherine Templeton and Bill Young. The Associated Press has projected Mace's victory in the 1st Congressional District.
Mace's victory marks her second consecutive triumph over significant primary opposition, highlighting the ongoing intraparty tensions within the Republican Party.
Mace, who was first elected to the House in 2020, faced a challenging primary race against Templeton, a former director of South Carolina's labor agency, and Young, a Marine Corps veteran.
Fox News reported that Templeton received substantial financial backing from outside groups aligned with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, making the race particularly competitive. Despite this support, Mace emerged victorious, underscoring her resilience in South Carolina politics.
The primary saw significant financial influence, with around $9 million spent on ads. Nearly half of this amount came from McCarthy-aligned groups targeting Mace specifically. Mace herself received support from prominent Republicans, including Gov. Henry McMaster and current House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Mace celebrated her victory on social media, thanking Lowcountry voters for their support. This victory is a testament to her ability to navigate the complex dynamics within the Republican Party, especially after surviving a previous primary challenge from a Trump-backed rival two years ago.
Mace's relationship with former President Donald Trump has evolved significantly. Trump previously targeted Mace after she blamed him for the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. However, Mace now has Trump's backing after endorsing him and campaigning for him earlier this year in South Carolina's crucial GOP presidential primary.
The primary victory also highlights the ongoing feud between Mace and McCarthy. Unlike two years ago, when McCarthy supported Mace, he targeted her in this primary after she was one of eight House Republicans to vote to oust him as House Speaker last year. This shift in support underscores the complex and often turbulent nature of political alliances.
Templeton, despite her substantial backing, could not overcome Mace's established presence and support within the district. Notable figures such as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Joe Wilson of the neighboring 2nd Congressional District supported Templeton's campaign.
Mace has faced her share of controversy, with several congressional staffers resigning late last year and earlier this year. Additionally, a former chief of staff briefly launched a primary challenge against her, adding to the turbulent political landscape she navigates.
Had no candidate won a majority in the primary, the top two contenders would have faced off in a runoff in two weeks. This scenario, however, was avoided with Mace's clear victory.
On the Democratic side, businessman Michael B. Moore and veteran Mac Deford are vying for the nomination in the 1st District. The outcome of their primary will set the stage for the general election later this year. Mace's ability to secure renomination amid such a competitive and financially intense primary underscores her political acumen and the support she commands within her district.
Rep. Nancy Mace's victory in the South Carolina 1st Congressional District primary is a significant political achievement, marking her second consecutive defeat of major primary opponents. The primary was characterized by substantial financial influence, with significant spending from outside groups and endorsements from high-profile political figures. Despite facing challenges from well-funded opponents and internal party controversies, Mace's success demonstrates her resilience and strong backing within her district. As the general election approaches, Mace's victory sets the stage for a potentially competitive race against the Democratic nominee. The evolving dynamics within the Republican Party and Mace's ability to navigate these complexities will be closely watched in the coming months.
