Nancy Mace

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace spoke about her gubernatorial candidacy at a Republican event in Greenville.

Mace expressed her support for former President Donald Trump and discussed her religious faith.

She is one of several Republican candidates, including Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson, competing in the gubernatorial primary.

Mace outlined policy goals such as eliminating the state income tax and enforcing immigration policies.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-District 1, discussed her faith, President Donald Trump, and her candidacy for South Carolina governor at an event hosted by a Greenville County Republican group on May 4.

Mace became the latest gubernatorial candidate to campaign in the Upstate leading up to the June 9 primaries after Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-District 5, campaigned in the area on May 1.

The Republican congresswoman was one of the featured speakers at First Monday in Greenville, a Republican political forum that hosts discussions with elected officials. Over the past few months, First Monday in Greenville has hosted other Republican gubernatorial candidates like Norman, Evette, and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

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Mace's speech to a ballroom of Republicans largely focused on two things — faith and President Donald Trump. She said she believes the country is on the edge of an abyss and that Trump is the only person who can lead the country out of it.

"He's done everything he said he's going to do," Mace said.

Mace shares her personal journey with religion

Mace went on to describe her own personal journey with religion, which she said guided her decision to run for Congress in 2020. According to Mace, the nation is now facing a "spiritual battle" and needs strong leaders for guidance. She called California a "satanic evil" in the country, citing the state's progressive policies on gender identity.

"I believe that we are in a spiritual battle between good and between evil," Mace said. "The country needs strong leaders today, now more than ever."

Mace is one of the frontrunners in South Carolina governor's race

Mace is one of the frontrunners in the South Carolina governor's race, often trading off for first place in the polls with Evette and Wilson. A recent poll from research and communications firm co/efficient found that 22% of poll respondents would vote for Mace in a Republican primary. The same poll, which had a margin of error of ±3.43%, found that 21% of respondents back Evette while 19% support Wilson.

What are Mace's plans if she wins SC governor's race?

The candidate discussed her plans to eliminate the state income tax, enforce immigration policies, and invest in trade programs for young adults, before remarking on an anti-Sharia Law bill at the South Carolina Statehouse.

Mace calls for deportation of Somali immigrants from Minnesota

Mace criticized the commemoration of Arab Heritage Month before calling for the deportation of Somali immigrants from Minnesota. In recent months, Mace has attacked U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, online for her Somali heritage. She tweeted in late April that Omar is a "prime example of why immigration reform is long overdue in this country."

"We just had her heritage month. I wouldn't be doing that as governor," Mace said at the First Monday event. "They need to go right back to their home country."

Who is running for governor of South Carolina?

There are five other Republicans running for governor in the June 9 primaries: Norman, Evette, Wilson, DOGE SC founder Rom Reddy, and State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg. The three Democratic candidates are State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, former Clinton staffer Billy Webster, and Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod.

The June 9 primaries will determine which two candidates will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at [email protected]