Nancy Mace, an opponent of McCarthy, is predicted to repel a primary challenge in South Carolina by CNN.
In Tuesday's election, Mace won the majority votes, which means she will likely avoid a runoff in her attempt to serve a third term as the representative of the coastal Charleston area. This win is crucial for Mace as she has encountered heavy criticism from her party lately. Her controversial decision in October to kick McCarthy out of the speaker position has sparked anger and allegations of creating a toxic workspace within the party.
Following the controversial decision, Mace donned a white T-shirt with a red "A" as a symbolic gesture, referring to the novel "The Scarlet Letter" and the backlash against her vote. In retaliation, McCarthy's allies spent vast amounts of money challenging Mace during the primaries. Her main competitor, Catherine Templeton, a former South Carolina Cabinet official under Governor Nikki Haley, was portrayed as a McCarthy lackey.
Mace has not had an easy time with her relationship with former President Trump. In the wake of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, Mace told CNN that Trump's legacy had been effectively erased that day. However, in the lead-up to the 2022 midterm elections, Trump chose to support Mace's primary opponent, Katie Arrington. Notably, Mace received significant backing from Haley during the primary, even sharing a campaign stage and appearing in a TV ad promoting Mace. Mace managed to emerge victorious, winning by 8 points.
In 2024, Mace endorsed Trump for the presidential race, only for Trump to return the favor in March, dubbing her a "strong conservative voice."
Mace initially secured her seat in 2020 when she managed to unseat Democratic incumbent Joe Cunningham. Two years later, she was re-elected after the district was redrawn, making it more Republican-friendly.
However, a three-judge panel ruled that the new district lines were a racial gerbles, but the US Supreme Court recently chose to uphold the map, dismissing the notion that the GOP had unlawfully used race to strengthen their electoral chances.
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Mace's decision to kick McCarthy out of the speaker position led to her wearing a white T-shirt with a red "A," referring to the symbolism in "The Scarlet Letter." Despite McCarthy's allies spending substantial funds challenging Mace during the primaries, she was able to secure a victory, with Catherine Templeton, a McCarthy supporter, being portrayed as her main competitor.
