SouthernWorldwide.com – U.S. Representative Nancy Mace has stated that former President Donald Trump’s endorsement has not definitively settled the South Carolina gubernatorial race, describing it as a “dog fight.”
Mace commented on the impact of Trump’s endorsement, noting that it has not resonated well with the grassroots base of the Republican party.
She observed that the endorsed candidate, South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, received only a minimal bump in support, estimated at around five points.
Mace anticipates that Evette will likely face a runoff election, suggesting that at that stage, the outcome of the race remains uncertain.
Mace’s remarks come amidst a public rift that has developed between her and Trump in recent months.
She characterized the current political climate surrounding the gubernatorial race as intense and competitive.
“It’s a dog fight,” Mace declared, emphasizing her commitment to the campaign. “We’re in it and I’m gonna fight to the death.”
Mace revealed that she was not surprised by Trump’s decision not to endorse her.
This lack of endorsement, she believes, is linked to her vote in Congress to support the release of documents pertaining to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“I knew it was on the line when I voted to release the Epstein files, and I’m a survivor,” Mace stated. “If the price to pay for an endorsement was to not release those files, I would never pay it.”
Last year, Mace was among four Republicans who signed a petition to compel a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
This legislation called for the Department of Justice to make public all information related to its investigation into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, which involved millions of documents.
Trump’s endorsement in the Republican primary was also given to South Carolina’s current Governor, Henry McMaster, who is term-limited and has endorsed Evette as his preferred successor.
Trump had expressed his expectation that Evette would appoint the current governor’s son, Henry McMaster Jr., as her lieutenant governor.
“Pam Evette is a good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and will be a terrific Governor of South Carolina,” Trump had stated in a public message.
“Pam has my Complete and Total Endorsement — SHE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he added.
The former president’s endorsement was issued just days before the primary election scheduled for June 9.
This timing coincided with the commencement of early voting in South Carolina.
The Republican primary on Tuesday features a crowded field of candidates.
These include Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, U.S. Representative Ralph Norman, businessman Rom Reddy, and Mace herself.
Should no candidate secure a majority of the votes, the top two contenders will proceed to a runoff election.
Mace predicts that this runoff scenario could significantly alter the dynamics of the race, even with Trump’s support for Evette.
“I disagree with this endorsement,” Mace asserted. “And I’m going to vote for myself.”
She concluded by urging voters in South Carolina to cast their ballots for her in the upcoming election on Tuesday.
