U.S. Representative Nancy Mace concluded her bid for South Carolina's highest office on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, failing to advance in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Mace finished a distant fifth in the crowded field, bringing an end to her campaign for governor. She joins the list of high profile women exiting the 118th Congress such as Jamsine Crockett, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Marsha Blackburn. The outcome marks a significant turning point for the prominent South Carolina politician.

The Republican primary saw Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson emerge as the top two contenders, heading to a runoff election scheduled for June 23, 2026. With 84% of the ballots counted, Evette secured 29.3% of the vote, and Wilson garnered 26.2%. Nancy Mace received 12.2% of the total votes cast. Other candidates, including U.S. Representative Ralph Norman and businessman Rom Reddy, also did not advance. Following the results, Mace conceded the race on Tuesday night and subsequently endorsed Alan Wilson.

Former President Donald Trump's endorsement played a notable role in the primary, as he backed Pamela Evette shortly before the election. Mace herself suggested a connection between her primary performance and her stance on releasing the Epstein files, stating, "as a survivor, I chose to stand on principle and stand against the Epstein cover-up," adding, "And apparently, I chose wrong if the goal was winning an election". This loss also carries direct implications for her congressional career. By running for governor, Mace became ineligible to seek re-election for her U.S. House seat in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the upcoming 2026 elections. She indicated her intention to return to the private sector after her current term concludes. Political analysts and former aides often describe Mace's career as unpredictable, marked by a pursuit of media attention and a tendency to alienate allies.

Mace's political journey began with her historic graduation as the first woman from The Citadel's Corps of Cadets in 1999. She made her first foray into electoral politics with an unsuccessful U.S. Senate primary run in 2014, where she finished fifth. She served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020. In 2020, Mace won election to the U.S. House, becoming the first Republican woman from South Carolina to serve in Congress. She secured re-election in 2022 despite facing a primary challenger endorsed by former President Trump. Her tenure in Congress included involvement in significant national events, such as her criticism of the January 6, 2021, riot and her vote to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023.

The Republican Gubernatorial Primary's outcome leaves Nancy Mace's political future uncertain as her third term in Congress approaches its end. Her decision to pursue the governorship, rather than her House seat, concludes her time in federal office for now. The runoff between Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson will determine the Republican nominee for governor, setting the stage for the general election against Democratic nominee Jermaine Johnson.