Outgoing firebrand Rep. Nancy Mace teased a return to the private sector after getting a shellacking in the South Carolina governor’s race, where she finished in a distant fifth place.
Mace (R-SC) was resolute that her defeat “isn’t the end of the fight” but merely “just the end of this chapter” for her.
She went on to endorse state Attorney General Alan Wilson for governor, whom she once accused of failing to prosecute sexual predators.
“Headed back to the private sector at the end of this term, as the Founders intended,” Mace posted on X.
“When I ran in 2020, I said I’d only serve 3 terms and my time is up. It’s truly been an immense honor and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Headed back to the private sector at the end of this term, as the Founders intended.
When I ran in 2020 I said I’d only serve 3 terms and my time is up. It’s truly been an immense honor and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. https://t.co/4mjcGRjcUY
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) June 10, 2026
It’s not immediately clear what kind of private sector role Mace will pursue. She had previously founded a public relations consulting firm in 2008, before her stint in the South Carolina state House about 10 years later.
Some of her former firebrand colleagues, such as Matt Gaetz and George Santos, took up media-related roles. Gaetz became an anchor on One America News Network, and Santos launched a podcast.
At one point in the gubernatorial race, Mace had polled as the frontrunner, but that quickly began to slip.
President Trump — who has enjoyed a near-perfect endorsement record in House, Senate and gubernatorial GOP primaries this cycle — endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette for the role last month.
Now there will be a runoff between Evett and Wilson.
While reflecting on her blowout loss, Mace assessed that her vote to release the files on late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein cost her key votes, but stressed that she’s “at peace with that.”
“[A]pparently, I chose wrong if the goal was winning an election,” she posted on X. “I’m at peace with that. Because when a candidate is OK with corruption and cover-ups – something is broken. That’s not a political opinion. That’s a moral emergency.”
Her vote on the Epstein files put her at odds with Trump.
Mace then threw shade at Democrats for nominating scandal-plagued oyster farmer Graham Platner as their Maine Senate seat nominee.
Enjoying my first cup of coffee since getting my ass kicked last night, and reading about how Dems nominated the guy with the nazi tattoo.
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) June 10, 2026
“Enjoying my first cup of coffee since getting my ass kicked last night, and reading about how Dems nominated the guy with the nazi tattoo,” she jabbed on X.
