'Trump in high heels': Rep Nancy Mace joins race for South Carolina governor; positions herself as President's strongest ally

Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina officially launched her campaign for governor on Monday, entering a crowded GOP primary where candidates are vying for the coveted endorsement of US President Donald Trump.

While her opponents tout their connections to Trump, Mace- who describes herself as “Trump in high heels”- says she’s the one best equipped to carry out his agenda in South Carolina, where he continues to hold strong support among Republican voters.Mace made her run official during a campaign event at The Citadel military college in Charleston, the same institution where she made history as the first woman to graduate.

She plans to begin a statewide town hall tour this week, starting in Myrtle Beach.“I’m running for governor because South Carolina doesn’t need another empty suit and needs a governor who will fight for you and your values,” Mace said as quoted by Wate News.“South Carolina needs a governor who will drag the truth into sunlight and flip the tables if that’s what it takes.”In an interview with The Associated Press, Mace outlined her campaign priorities.

She said her platform will focus on criminal justice reform, ending the state’s income tax, protecting women and children, expanding school choice and vocational education, and improving energy options.Official filing for South Carolina’s 2026 election doesn’t open until March, but the governor’s race is already drawing multiple Republican contenders. Attorney general Alan Wilson, Lt Gov Pamela Evette, and Rep Ralph Norman have all entered what will be the state’s first truly open governor’s race in 16 years.Saying she plans to seek his support, Mace said, “No one will work harder to get his attention and his endorsement. No one else in this race can say they’ve been there for the president like I have, as much as I have and worked as hard as I have to get the president his agenda delivered to him in the White House.”She pointed to her past efforts in defending Trump, including an interview that led to ABC News paying $15 million toward his presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit.

She also noted that she called Trump earlier this year to help persuade GOP holdouts to support Rep Mike Johnson as House speaker.Mace has had a complex relationship with Trump. Though she worked for his 2016 campaign, she later criticised him after the January 6 Capitol riot — prompting him to support a primary challenger against her in 2022. Mace ultimately won reelection and went on to receive Trump’s endorsement in her 2024 campaign.“I’m going to draw the line, and I’m going to hold it for South Carolina, and I’m going to put her people first,” Mace said as quoted by Wate News.Mace, 47, briefly served in the South Carolina House before flipping the state’s 1st congressional district in 2020. She also made history as the first Republican woman elected to Congress from South Carolina. Her father served as commandant of cadets at The Citadel during her time there.