Nancy Mace competes against candidate supported by Kevin McCarthy in Republican primary

As the race to represent South Carolina’s first Congressional District heats up, all eyes are on Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace and her challenger, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. This election is not just about who will represent the district, but also a battle of political ideologies and loyalties.

Mace, who is vying for a third term in Congress, made waves last year when she was one of eight House Republicans who voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. Since then, McCarthy has thrown his support behind Mace’s primary opponent, Catherine Templeton, who served as the director of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation under former Governor Nikki Haley.

Campaign finance filings reveal that McCarthy’s political action committee, Majority Committee PAC, has donated to Templeton’s campaign, marking Mace as the first GOP McCarthy ouster to face a challenge at the ballot box. This race is not just about securing a congressional seat but also about the power dynamics within the Republican Party.

Templeton has garnered support from another former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, and Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina. However, she did not receive the endorsement of former President Trump, a significant figure in Republican politics.

Just one day before the polls opened, Trump took to Truth Social to urge his followers to vote for Mace, a complete reversal from his endorsement of Mace’s primary opponent in the previous election cycle. This shift in support highlights the fluidity of political alliances and the importance of backing the winning candidate for political clout.

Mace and Trump’s relationship has had its ups and downs. Following the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Mace voted against impeaching Trump but held him accountable for the events of that day. However, three years later, Mace endorsed Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, emphasizing the need for party unity despite past disagreements.

A recent survey by Emerson College/The Hill shows Mace leading Templeton but not reaching the majority needed to avoid a runoff election. If neither candidate secures over 50% of the votes, a runoff will be held on June 25, prolonging the battle for the Congressional seat.

With polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the voters in South Carolina’s first Congressional District hold the power to shape not just their representation but also the internal dynamics of the Republican Party. This race is not just about candidates; it’s a reflection of the broader political landscape and power struggles within the GOP.