Ahead of South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, Rep. Nancy Mace claimed voters are “very upset” that President Donald Trump endorsed her opponent.
The South Carolina lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate told Fox News Digital ahead of Tuesday’s primary that the endorsement did little to boost South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and her standing in the race. Mace also speculated that her own support of releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files may have contributed to Trump’s decision not to back her.
“It’s not going over well for her with the grassroots, which is why she didn’t get much of a bump,” Mace said. “She got maybe a five-point bump — not much.”
(Video Credit: Fox News)
“And she’s going to be in a runoff, and I think at that point all bets are off,” Mace said of Evette, who could potentially be the successor of South Carolina’s term-limited Governor Henry McMaster.
Evette and Mace are in a race against Attorney General Alan Wilson, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), and businessman Rom Reddy as Tuesday’s primary draws near. Citing a poll by the Trafalgar Group, USA Today reported Monday: “In a survey conducted June 2-4, Evette was holding a 26.3% lead while none of her competitors raked in more than 18%.”
“Pam Evette is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina,” Trump posted just days earlier without any mention of Mace. “Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
“I disagree with this endorsement,” Mace said. “And I’m going to vote for myself. I’m asking voters in South Carolina to vote for me as well on Tuesday.”
She also described the race as a “dog fight,” adding, “We’re in it, and I’m gonna fight to the death.”
The three-term representative was one of four Republicans who signed a petition to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, along with Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. She reflected on her decision and how it likely spurred Trump’s endorsement of Evette.
I will not change my positions or abandon my principles.
And I will never stop demanding accountability from the institutions that have failed South Carolina and our country, no matter the cost. pic.twitter.com/cmUvV4Y9sS
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) June 7, 2026
“I knew it was on the line when I voted to release the Epstein files, and I’m a survivor,” Mace said. “If the price to pay for an endorsement was to not release those files, I would never pay it.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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