Nancy Mace Fails to Advance in South Carolina GOP Gubernatorial Primary After Trump Snub

Nancy Mace Concedes Defeat in Gubernatorial Primary

Rep. Nancy Mace's bid for the South Carolina governor's mansion came to an abrupt halt on Tuesday night as she finished fifth in the Republican primary, a race overshadowed by the absence of crucial support from former President Donald Trump. Mace attributed her downfall to her stance on the release of the Epstein Files, which she claimed cost her the endorsement that might have altered the race's outcome.

Primary Results

The primary, swiftly called by the Associated Press after polls closed, highlighted Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson as the leading candidates. Evette secured 29.3% of the vote, while Wilson garnered 26.2%, prompting a runoff election scheduled for June 23. In stark contrast, Mace trailed significantly with only 12.2% of the total votes cast. Rep. Ralph Norman placed third with 16.6%.

In her concession speech, Mace expressed a sense of peace despite the disappointing results. "This election was a spiritual battle," she said, emphasizing the divide between those who prioritize protecting predators and those who fight against them. She declared, "As a survivor, I chose to stand on principle and against the Epstein cover-up. And apparently, I chose wrong if the goal was winning an election."

Democratic Outcome

The Democratic primary saw State Rep. Jermaine Johnson winning decisively with 59.5% of the vote, positioning him against the runoff winner in the general election this November. Meanwhile, the incumbent GOP U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham easily defeated five competitors in his primary, securing 56.8% of the votes, bolstered by Trump's support.

Looking Ahead

Trump's influence on South Carolina politics remained evident as he congratulated Evette following her advancement to the runoff, signaling his intent to support her campaign. Wilson acknowledged Mace's endorsement in his remarks and expressed gratitude for her support. The upcoming runoff now presents a pivotal moment for both candidates as they vie for the Republican nomination in a state pivotal to the party's future.

As the political landscape unfolds in South Carolina, all eyes will be on how these developments impact both the GOP and Democratic races leading into the November elections.