Nancy Mace

Nancy Mace is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, she has held this office since January 3, 2021. Mace is notable for being the first Republican woman elected to Congress from South Carolina and has previously served in the South Carolina General Assembly. Her political career has included a focus on various issues, including abortion legislation, offshore drilling, and prison reform. Mace is also a candidate for the 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election.

Early life and career

Nancy Mace was born on December 4, 1977, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, into a military family. Her father, James Emory Mace, was a brigadier general in the United States Army and served as the commandant of cadets at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina from 1997 to 2005. Her mother, Anne Mace, worked as a schoolteacher. Growing up in a military environment, Mace was instilled with values of discipline and leadership from an early age.

Mace's educational journey began at The Citadel, where she made history in 1999 by becoming the first woman to graduate from the Corps of Cadets program. She earned a degree in business administration, graduating magna cum laude. Her experience at The Citadel was significant enough that she later authored a book titled "In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel," published in 2001, which detailed her experiences in a predominantly male environment.

Following her undergraduate studies, Mace pursued further education and obtained a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia's Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2004. In 2008, she founded the Mace Group, a public relations and consulting firm that allowed her to engage with various political and business entities. Additionally, she became a co-owner of FITSNews, a website focused on South Carolina politics and current events, which she had been involved with since 2007 before selling her stake in 2013.

Mace's early political involvement included volunteering for Ron Paul's presidential campaign in 2012. In 2013, she announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in South Carolina for the 2014 election. Although she did not win the nomination, her campaign garnered attention and laid the groundwork for her future political endeavors.

House tenure

Nancy Mace's political career in the South Carolina House of Representatives began when she ran for the 99th district seat in a special election in 2017. Following a competitive primary, she secured her nomination and won the general election against her Democratic opponent, Cindy Boatwright, in January 2018. During her time in the state legislature, Mace was active in various legislative efforts, including advocating for exceptions in abortion legislation for cases of rape and incest. She publicly shared her own experience of being a victim of rape at age 16 to support her position on the matter.

In 2019, Mace co-sponsored a bill to oppose offshore drilling off the South Carolina coast, reflecting her commitment to environmental issues. Her efforts earned her a 100% lifetime rating from the Conservation Voters of South Carolina for her voting record against offshore drilling and seismic testing. Additionally, she received the 2019 Tax Payer Hero Award from the South Carolina Club for Growth for her fiscal conservatism.

Mace's tenure in the South Carolina House also included significant criminal justice reform. In May 2020, her bill to end the shackling of pregnant women in prison was signed into law by Governor Henry McMaster, marking a notable achievement in her legislative career.

In June 2019, Mace announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent South Carolina's 1st congressional district, which encompasses Charleston and surrounding areas. The district had been represented by Democrat Joe Cunningham, who won a surprising victory in 2018. Mace won the Republican primary in June 2020 with a significant majority and subsequently defeated Cunningham in the general election held in November 2020, officially taking office on January 3, 2021.

Legislative focus and committees

Since her election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Mace has maintained a focus on several key issues. She has been vocal about her stance on abortion, emphasizing her opposition to the procedure while advocating for exceptions in cases of rape and incest. This nuanced position reflects her personal experiences and has influenced her legislative priorities.

Mace has also continued her opposition to offshore drilling, a stance she initially took during her time in the South Carolina legislature. Her campaign efforts in 2020 highlighted the economic and environmental implications of such drilling on South Carolina's coast, resonating with constituents concerned about the preservation of their natural resources.

In her role as a U.S. Representative, Mace has served on various committees, contributing to discussions and decisions on a range of issues. Her involvement in these committees allows her to influence legislation that aligns with her priorities and those of her constituents. Mace's relationship with former President Donald Trump has been complex; while she did not vote for his impeachment, she publicly criticized him for his actions related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This stance led to a contested primary in 2022, where she successfully defeated a Trump-endorsed challenger.

Mace was re-elected in 2022 and 2024, demonstrating her continued support within her district. As she approaches the end of her current term in January 2027, Mace has announced her candidacy for the 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial election, signaling her ambition to expand her political career beyond the U.S. House of Representatives. Her ongoing legislative work and future aspirations reflect her commitment to serving her constituents and addressing the issues facing South Carolina.