Jun 11, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Rep. Nancy Mace defeats GOP primary challenger

Andrew Solender

Rep. Nancy Mace, wearing a green dress, speaking at a black podium in front of a blueish-purple backdrop. — Rep. Nancy Mace. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) defeated her Republican primary challenger Catherine Templeton on Tuesday, according to AP.

Why it matters: Mace has emerged as a notable wild card during her two terms in Congress, bewildering many of her GOP colleagues last year by voting to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

State of play: Mace was supported by former President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), but Templeton was endorsed by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and had financial backing from McCarthy.

Templeton served as secretary of South Carolina's department of labor under former Gov. Nikki Haley.
Mace, who was first elected to Congress in 2020, heavily out-raised Templeton, with $2.2 million to Templeton's $660,000 as of late May, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Zoom in: Mace has drawn headlines for her mix of hardline fiscal and liberal social policy positions, as well as her sometimes perplexing public statements and positions.

She has notably shifted on Trump, criticizing the ex-president over Jan. 6 and voting to hold his former advisor Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress in 2022 but loudly embracing him in the 2024 election.

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Rep. Nancy Mace defeats GOP primary challenger

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