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EXCLUSIVE – As she launched her marketing campaign for South Carolina governor, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace took intention at what she referred to as “weak management” within the state.
The assertion from Mace, which was reported first by Fox Information Digital on Monday, gave the impression to be a delicate dig on the state’s Republican leaders, together with longtime South Carolina Legal professional Normal Alan Wilson, who’s a prime rival for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Mace and Wilson are thought of the front-runners in a crowded GOP major discipline within the 2026 race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who’s the Palmetto State’s longest-serving governor.
Wilson, in an unique nationwide interview with Fox Information Digital a few hours after Mace introduced her candidacy, argued that “Mace has been ranting and raving for the final six months about working for governor with out really saying it.”
REPUBLICAN FIREBRAND NANCY MACE JUMPS INTO CROWDED SOUTH CAROLINA RACE FOR GOVERNOR
South Carolina Legal professional Normal Alan Wilson returns hearth towards Republican gubernatorial nomination rival Rep. Nancy Mace, in a Fox Information Digital interview. (Tracy Glantz/The State/Tribune Information Service by way of Getty Photos)
Mace informed Fox Information per week and a half in the past, forward of her marketing campaign launch, “I’ll battle to the end, and I’ll take out South Carolina’s Legal professional Normal, as a result of he is turned a blind eye on girls and on youngsters and on the state for lots of causes. He would possibly pressure me to do that.”
Mace, in a bombshell speech on the U.S. Home flooring in February, alleged that Wilson ignored proof of sexual assault towards her and different girls. In her hour-long speech, Mace accused 4 males, together with her ex-fiance, of sexual crimes and mentioned she was among the many victims.
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Wilson vehemently denied Mace’s accusations, saying on the time “that allegation was by no means made to me — nobody in my workplace.”
Wilson, in a latest assertion to Fox Information, argued that “Mace is a liar who will do something to get consideration to distract from her liberal voting report. I’ve served our nation and devoted my civilian profession to defending youngsters.”
And pointing to Mace, Wilson mentioned on Monday that “it’s apparent to me that she thinks about me greater than I take into consideration her. I’ve been very busy doing my job right here in South Carolina and I actually don’t pay that a lot consideration to this individual.”
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina is interviewed by Fox Information Digital on July 25, 2025, in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox Information )
“I’m not working towards anyone,” he added. “I’m working for the individuals of South Carolina.”
Wilson mentioned as he campaigns for governor, he is “making an attempt to have a message that’s uplifting, a message that’s aspiration, and I’m making an attempt to reveal to the individuals of South Carolina that I’ve a report of accomplishment, a report of success and I might be a secure hand on the wheel of South Carolina.”
And in what gave the impression to be a jab at Mace, he added, “I consider you can be an agent of change and reform for our state with out being an agent of chaos.”
Wilson showcased what he referred to as his “actual report of accomplishment, supporting and defending victims of crime in South Carolina in addition to going after public officers who commit corrupt acts.”
And pointing to a difficulty that Mace frequently spotlights, Wilson mentioned “in the case of standing as much as girls and women in sports activities and defending girls in non-public areas, I’m the one candidate who’s been in courtroom defending South Carolina’s legal guidelines.”
Mace kicked off her gubernatorial marketing campaign with an occasion at Charleston’s Citadel, which is South Carolina’s army faculty and her alma mater. Mace made historical past as the primary feminine graduate of the Citadel’s Corps of Cadets.
However Wilson, in his Fox Information Digital interview, highlighted his lengthy army profession.
“The governor of South Carolina is the commander-in-chief of the South Carolina Nationwide Guard,” he famous. “I’ve obtained almost 30 years within the army. I’ve served a fight tour in Iraq. I’m at the moment a colonel within the nationwide guard. And I’m the one individual on this race with actual fight expertise.”
And pointing to his help from regulation enforcement, Wilson mentioned that he is been endorsed by 26 sheriffs throughout the state, together with all 5 in Mace’s congressional district in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
Wilson mentioned his priorities as governor could be “specializing in reforming our schooling system, investing in our infrastructure, eliminating fraud, waste and abuse, eliminating the revenue tax, and being extra accountable to the individuals of South Carolina can be my priorities.”
Mace and Wilson are dealing with off within the Republican gubernatorial major together with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Ralph Norman, and state Sen. Josh Kimbrell.
President Donald Trump boards Air Drive One on Aug. 1, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photos)
President Donald Trump stays impartial up to now within the major. Trump’s grip over the GOP, due to his 2024 victory to win again the White Home, is stronger than ever, and his endorsements in GOP nomination races are extraordinarily influential.
Requested if she might land the president’s endorsement, Mace informed Fox Information Digital not too long ago that “I will be working very laborious if I get in to earn his help.”
And in her marketing campaign launch video, Mace used clips of Trump calling her a “fighter” in a speech, and including that “when she units her sight on one thing, she’s robust.”
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However Wilson emphasised he is “supported President Trump as lawyer common since his first time period…I’ve defended the president in courtroom. I’ve defended his agenda in courtroom. I’ve an excellent relationship with the president.”
Wilson added, “I intend to earn his endorsement and earn his help the way in which he has earned mine. And I’ve had his again for the final eight or 9 years.”
