Advisor Exits Gubernatorial Race Over Loyalty to Trump

Austin McCubbin, who has been a long-time adviser to South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, announced his withdrawal from the 2026 gubernatorial race. He cited loyalty to former President Donald Trump in a post on his verified X account.

“Nancy Mace has decided to once again turn her back on MAGA to align herself with the Rand Paul and Thomas Massie faction of the party. This is why I have informed her and her team of my resignation,” McCubbin stated.

He expressed frustration about being publicly associated with Mace’s campaign, claiming, “She is using my position with Team Trump for her own benefit in the White House. Out of loyalty to the president, I am completely dissociated from her campaign.” He shared a statement on social media.

McCubbin’s statement also accused Mace of supporting the Rand Paul-aligned Protect Freedom PAC. He mentioned that earlier this year, Mace had a falling out with her general consultant after he publicly criticized Trump’s stance on Iran and sided with Thomas Massie. Recently, he learned that the Protect Freedom PAC began spending money for Mace without his prior knowledge, suggesting it operated independently from her campaign.

“During a conversation last Wednesday, it became evident that Nancy fully endorses Rand Paul’s PAC. She mentioned she was directing a friend to send a significant donation to it. Essentially, she is… knowingly or unknowingly, acting as a supporter of Rand Paul’s 2028 presidential campaign,” he said.

Previously, McCubbin had led Mace’s congressional campaign in 2022. His resignation follows Mace’s decision to keep her name on a discharge petition aimed at compelling Congress to release the Epstein files.

According to reports, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Rep. Ro Khanna of California have been advocating for the release of these files so that the House could sign the expulsion petition and force a vote without committee or leadership involvement. Interestingly, Sen. Rand Paul had previously voted for an amendment that called for the Department of Justice to release all unclassified files.

McCubbin confirmed to local media that Trump’s team is aware of his decision to resign. Mace officially launched her campaign for the 2026 governor’s race in August 2025. In response to McCubbin’s move, a spokesperson for Mace stated that she has “been working with President Trump from day one.” They emphasized her commitment to being “the most pro-Trump, America-first governor in the country.”