SOUTH CAROLINA — U.S. Representative Nancy Mace finished fifth in the South Carolina Republican primary for governor and endorsed Alan Wilson for the runoff election. Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette will compete in the gubernatorial runoff election on June 23.

Mace previously accused Wilson of shielding defendants charged with child sex abuse. Mace stated, "When children needed him to act, Wilson looked the other way." Mace also previously criticized former President Donald Trump over the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. During her gubernatorial campaign, Mace sought Trump's political support and published a computer-generated image on social media depicting herself posing with him. Trump endorsed Pamela Evette's campaign for governor. Mace posted on social media that Evette did not receive an endorsement from Trump, writing, "Pamela Evette is NOT ENDORSED by DONALD TRUMP. Do not believe her LIES."

Mace did not outline her future political plans during her concession speech. She cited limited campaign funding, noting she did not purchase television advertisements, and had reduced the number of campaign rallies and public appearances toward the end of her gubernatorial bid. Mace said, "I have taken on the rich and powerful in both parties. I voted to release the Epstein files and lost some support for that."

Mace also proposed legislation to prohibit individuals not born in the U.S. from holding political office or serving as a judge. She stated that gubernatorial candidate Rom Reddy was unqualified because he is a naturalized citizen with a mother from India and a father from Italy. Mace said, "I didn't come out of a slum in India. I am born and made here in America."

Mace initially left high school without a diploma and worked at a Waffle House restaurant before later completing her secondary education. She made history as the first woman to complete the program at The Citadel, a state military academy. Mace was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2017. In 2020, Mace won election to the U.S. House of Representatives for a Charleston-area district that Democrats had held during the previous term.

No independent assessment of Nancy Mace’s claims was available.