Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina faces increased competition in the 2024 primary race for the state’s 1st Congressional District.
On Monday, Catherine Templeton, former director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and ex-president of US Brick, announced her candidacy, adding to the challengers vying for the seat. Templeton, who previously ran for South Carolina governor in 2018 with the backing of former President Donald Trump, emphasized the need for a “consistent conservative voice” for the district. Her campaign launch event in Mount Pleasant drew over 100 supporters.
During her announcement, Templeton called for a leader focused on service over celebrity, highlighting the importance of a consistent conservative approach and expressing concerns over Mace’s voting decisions and endorsement of Trump. The primary race now includes Templeton, Dan Hanlon (Mace’s former chief of staff), and Austin Anderson, all seeking to unseat Mace, who is pursuing her third term in the House. Mace responded to Templeton’s candidacy, dismissing her as part of “Kevin McCarthy’s bitter revenge operation.”
Mace, elected to Congress in 2020, has faced criticism for her voting decisions, particularly when she voted to unseat Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House speaker last year, surprising both parties. Recently, Mace endorsed Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, despite previous criticisms of the former president.
This move was seen as a departure from her earlier stance and a slight to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Despite this endorsement, Mace emphasized her commitment to prioritizing the interests of the Lowcountry and fighting against the DC establishment. In her post on social media platform X, she tagged a website targeting Templeton.
The primary race in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District intensifies as candidates position themselves against each other and navigate the complexities of party dynamics and endorsements.