The entrance to the GOP Governor Primary in South Carolina, featuring Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), is shaping up to be quite tumultuous, with five Republicans vying for the state’s highest office.
In early voting, Mace and state Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) are leading the charge, with Mace framing the contest as primarily a matchup between them. The two share a contentious history; earlier this year, lawmakers brought allegations of sexual misconduct against four men during a House floor speech and accused Wilson of failing to prosecute one of them.
However, candidates like Lt. Col. Pamela Evett (R) and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) could still play significant roles in the race.
“Our political landscape is really, really corrupt,” remarked Alex Stroman, a former GOP executive director in South Carolina.
A recent poll from the South Carolina Policy Council indicated Mace was leading with 16% support among identified Republicans, closely followed by Wilson at 15%. Evette garnered 8%, while Norman had 6%. State Sen. Josh Kimbrell (R) received just 3%, and the poll revealed that 52% of voters remain undecided—suggesting room for candidates to grow their support.
This crowded primary makes it challenging for any single candidate to claim a majority. If no one achieves that, the top two vote-getters will continue to the next round.
Strategists also point out that many polls at this stage primarily gauge name recognition.
Mace, who transitioned from being a Trump critic to a vocal supporter, likely has the strongest name recognition in the field.
“I barely sleep. I went to bed at 1 AM and was up by 4 AM. Trump doesn’t sleep; neither do I,” Mace stated during her first town hall in Myrtle Beach this week.
Lately, lawmakers, including Mace, have firmly opposed trans rights, even introducing legislation last year that forbids transgender women from using women’s restrooms at the Capitol.
Mace made headlines in a controversial ABC interview with George Stephanopoulos, who questioned her about supporting Trump despite a sexual battery lawsuit.
An operative involved in South Carolina races noted that Mace’s bold approach might not easily translate into votes.
“Outrageous behavior gets attention in primaries, but often fails to result in actual votes,” the operative commented.
The ongoing feud between Mace and Wilson appears to be a central theme in the race, with both escalating their attacks. Mace, on Fox News, accused Wilson of being lenient toward violent offenders, including child abusers.
Wilson defended his record as Attorney General, saying, “It’s clear to me that Congressman Mace is more focused on me than I am on her.” He noted that candidates under pressure often attack others and suggested that he has become a significant target in their race.
This rivalry is further complicated by Wilson’s father, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who has a strained relationship with Mace, having backed her previous major challengers.
Wilson’s father recently criticized Mace, labeling her a “party of one.” Mace countered, stating, “South Carolina deserves a fighter, not a dynasty.”
Republicans are noticing that while Mace and Wilson seem to be early frontrunners, their feud might inadvertently open doors for candidates like Evette and Norman.
“They’re so focused on each other that they might end up undermining their own campaigns,” said the National GOP operative. “This could actually benefit someone else.”
Unlike Mace, the other candidates may resonate more with voters, given their backgrounds within the administrative branch under Governor Henry McMaster (R), who has been in office since 2015 and maintains a 43% approval rating.
One operative remarked that all candidates seem to be criticizing government actions without recognizing how popular McMaster is.
Wilson emphasized that his role as Attorney General is “the most consequential” position in state government, particularly when dealing with legal challenges under different administrations.
With over a decade passed since the last open governor race in South Carolina, candidates are navigating somewhat unfamiliar territory.
“We haven’t had a truly open gubernatorial race for 16 years,” Stroman noted. “Everyone’s trying to figure out what matters to South Carolina voters.”
One certainty is the importance of securing Trump’s endorsement in the race.
“He’s a crucial voice in South Carolina politics,” Wilson stated. “Everyone running for governor wants his backing, and I’m no different, but in the end, it’s crucial to earn it.”
Several members of Evette’s team previously worked for Trump, which could bolster her campaign.
“Every candidate sees themselves as a Trump candidate,” Stroman observed, “but I think Evette might actually gain traction because of her connections.”
