Mace braces for personal, potent primary amid GOP backlash

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is facing a challenging primary battle, potentially including her former chief of staff, reflecting just how polarizing a figure she has become in her home state of South Carolina. 

Mace fought off a tough primary challenger backed by former President Trump in 2022, proving herself to be a resilient candidate. 

But this year, the challenges are coming from different reasons — and some of them are personal and potent.

“I don’t know if South Carolinians, those of us who reside in the Lowcountry, know what she’s for, who she’s for, or who she’s against, depending on the day, and then I really don’t think that she does,” said Alex Stroman, a former executive director for the South Carolina GOP. 

“Nancy Mace I think is finding out that if you’re a weathervane, and … you’re not consistent from Monday to Tuesday to Wednesday, then voters are going to respond accordingly and maybe look for other options and look for consistency.”