Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has withdrawn from the gubernatorial race, primarily due to her lack of support from former President Donald Trump.
Both Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evett and Attorney General Alan Wilson have Trump’s backing. At the time of her concession, Mace was notably trailing in the polls but expressed determination to pursue the release of the Epstein files, prioritizing that over her campaign.
Mace stated, “I’ve stood up against the powerful from both sides to advocate for the people of South Carolina. Whether it was voting to release the Epstein files or even evacuating people from dangerous situations, I’ve made those choices. My commitment to exposing cover-ups remains strong, even if it has cost me support.”
She further emphasized that her priority is moral integrity over political gain, saying, “If a candidate is okay with corruption, that’s a serious problem.”
In a message to her supporters, Mace highlighted the importance of speaking out against wrongdoings, reflecting on her time in office as a great honor. “Every battle I fought was for you, and I’ve seen firsthand what happens when good people stay silent,” she remarked.
Mace has openly attributed her lack of Trump’s support to her stance on the Epstein files, asserting that she’s okay with her decision. She mentioned that her fight against sexual predators and child trafficking in their state will persist, irrespective of the election’s outcome. “I’m not backing down,” she declared, reinforcing her identity as a MAGA candidate while also recognizing her independent conservative views.
On another note, Mace accused Evett of endorsing “political violence” after an incident involving a supporter being arrested for allegedly attacking a member of Mace’s campaign. Mace urged voters to reject Evett unless she denounced violence made by her campaign staff. Evett’s team denied any ties to the individual involved, expressing disappointment over the situation.
Despite being at odds with Trump, Mace has consistently acknowledged his impact, calling for prayers for him and affirming her respect for his contributions to the nation and South Carolina, even after his endorsement of Evett.
Mace has been proactive in addressing Epstein’s crimes, recently leading an effort to call for testimony from former Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the release of relevant files.
Throughout this campaign cycle, candidates with Trump’s endorsement have generally performed well in various primaries. Other notable events include Republican victories in Louisiana and Iowa elections, where Trump-backed candidates succeeded in key races.
Interestingly, Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from Congress after losing Trump’s support, a change brought on by her backing of the Epstein files and critiques of Trump’s policies.
