US Representative Nancy Mace faces a primary challenge in South Carolina after a rocky term

June 11, 2024 Add Comment

South Carolina’s Republican U.S. Representative, Nancy Mace, has announced her candidacy for a third term, and she has the support of none other than former President Donald Trump. Interestingly, Trump had previously attempted to prevent Mace from securing a second term.

Mace’s ability to garner attention far beyond what is expected of a typical second-term member of Congress can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the endorsement she received from former President Trump, despite his previous negative comments about her in 2022.

Frequently appearing on interview shows, she is known for challenging the hosts and sparking debates. Despite being a proponent of moderation regarding issues such as abortion and marijuana within her political party, she was part of the group of far-right members that successfully ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

According to Mace, she is not being unpredictable in her stance and ideology. Rather, she is representing the values of the 1st District, which encompasses a vast region from the historic localities of Charleston to the newly developed retiree neighborhoods in Beaufort County, where people from different places settle down in South Carolina.

In Tuesday’s primary, Mace is facing off against two Republican opponents. Her main competitor, Catherine Templeton, previously managed South Carolina’s health and environmental agency, causing some concerns over her leadership. Templeton has only participated in one political race, where she finished third in the 2018 GOP gubernatorial primary, which Governor Henry McMaster won.

According to Templeton, Mace’s approach of appearing to be present everywhere can result in the perception of her not being present anywhere. Templeton, on the other hand, assures that he will serve as a dependable Republican voice in the United States House of Representatives.

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Bill Young, a Marine veteran and financial planner, is also in the running as a Republican candidate for the election. He has been actively campaigning and his presence could potentially lead to a runoff sprint on June 25 if none of the candidates secure a majority of votes in the primary election on Tuesday.

In the 1st District, the Democrats are also having their primary election. Michael Moore, a businessman and former CEO of the International African American Museum, is competing against Mac Deford, a Citadel graduate who serves as a lawyer for some of the larger bedroom communities in the district.

In 2018, the 1st District seat flipped for a term, prompting South Carolina lawmakers to redraw the district with a more Republican slant. Interestingly, Nikki Haley won the district over Trump in the 2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary, making it the only congressional district in her favor.

4th District

Republican Representative William Timmons from South Carolina’s 4th District, centered around Greenville and Spartanburg, is also facing a primary reelection challenge.

Timmons is facing a challenging reelection bid due to his divorce and a viral Instagram post made by a husband who accused him of having an affair with his wife. Despite the allegations, Timmons has denied any wrongdoing and has requested privacy during this difficult time.

South Carolina Rep. Adam Morgan, who heads the Freedom Caucus, a group of the most conservative lawmakers in the state government, is challenging Timmons as he seeks a fourth term. Morgan is coming at Timmons from the right, alleging that he is not conservative enough to be considered a true Republican.

Timmons receives support from Trump, while Morgan’s campaign is being promoted on social media by U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida, who was instrumental in removing McCarthy from his position as house speaker.

3rd District

Republican Rep. Jeff Duncan’s decision not to run again after seven terms has left South Carolina’s 3rd District wide open. This comes after his wife of 35 years filed for divorce in 2023, alleging several affairs.

The race comprises of seven Republicans and none of them can be considered as a clear frontrunner. The district, situated in the northwest corner of the state, consists of various small population centers.

In her inaugural bid for political office, Sheri Biggs, a nurse practitioner and long-time friend of Gov. McMaster, received his endorsement. Meanwhile, President Trump threw his support behind Mark Burns, a Black pastor who has been a vocal supporter of Trump since before his initial presidential campaign.

There are several other candidates running for the same position. One of them is Kevin Bishop, who has an extensive work history of over 25 years, serving U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. Another candidate is Stewart Jones, who is the only one among them that has prior political experience, having served for five years in the South Carolina House. Franky Franco, a businessman, is also in the running, and he is the son of a Cuban exile and an immigrant from Ecuador. Phil Healy, who served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years, is another candidate for the position. Lastly, there is Elspeth Snow Murday, who is a newcomer to politics but has expertise in examining the genes of crops.

Frances Guldner, a high school science teacher, and Byron Best, who manages a Sherwin Williams paint store in Greenwood, are the two candidates vying for the Democratic primary in the 3rd District.

Other races

Republican Rep. Joe Wilson is currently seeking his 12th full term in the 2nd District, which encompasses suburban regions around Columbia and extends towards Aiken. Wilson is the only U.S. House incumbent who is up against a primary challenger in this election cycle.

Hamp Redmond, a contractor, is running against Wilson due to his stance on the “Ukraine first” policy.

Duke Buckner, an attorney, is going head-to-head against Justin Scott, a welder, in the 6th District Republican primary. The victorious candidate will go up against the incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn, who is running for his 17th term. The district is predominantly composed of minorities and encompasses regions surrounding Columbia, Beaufort, and Charleston.

Mal Hyman, a self-proclaimed independent Democrat and teacher, is set to go head-to-head with Daryl Scott, a veteran of Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, in the 7th District Democratic primary. The victor of this primary will then take on Republican U.S. Representative Russel Fry, who is vying for a second term in the district encompassing the northeast region of South Carolina, spanning from Myrtle Beach to Florence.

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