Three candidates are running in the Republican primary for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District on June 11: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R), Catherine Templeton (R), and Bill Young (R).
According to The Post and Courier, South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District is considered “the most moderate of South Carolina’s six Republican-held congressional districts, covering a geographic area that stretches from greater Charleston to Hilton Head Island.” In 2020, Mace defeated then-U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham (D) after the district was redrawn following redistricting.
As of March 31, 2024, Mace’s campaign led the field in cash-on-hand with $1,284,807, followed by Templeton ($368,492) and Young ($7,156). Templeton led in cash raised in 2024 from Jan. 1 through March 31 with $461,276, followed by Mace with $460,109. According to Caitlin Byrd, senior political reporter at The Post and Courier, “The narrow margin between the two Republican women – $1,167 to be exact – suggests that a closer-than–expected primary contest could be brewing in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District that stretches the coast from greater Charleston to Hilton Head Island.”
Mace says inflation, abortion, and immigration are the three most important issues for voters in the district. Mace says she would work to reduce taxes, increase domestic energy production, ensure women’s access to all forms of contraception without a doctor’s visit, and reduce immigration through the U.S.-Mexico border. Mace describes herself as unafraid to cross party lines, referring to her support of abortion and her vote to remove former Speaker of the U.S. House Kevin McCarthy (R). Mace said, “I would say I’m not your typical conservative because when I agree with my party, I support them, and when I disagree, I call my party out, and I do it over and over again.” Mace is endorsed by former president Donald Trump (R) and Speaker of the U.S. House Mike Johnson (R).
Templeton says she supports America First policies, a term often associated with the platform of former President Donald Trump (R) and candidates who say they support his platform. Templeton says she would focus on building a border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, shifting supply chains to be more dependent on domestic labor, and reducing inflation and government spending. Templeton says her experience as South Carolina’s director of labor, licensing, and regulation from 2011-2012 uniquely qualifies her for Congress because it demonstrates her experience reducing government spending and limiting immigration. Templeton said, “I was in Columbia busting bureaucracy. We killed about $68 million in waste in 18 months – reduced bureaucracy by 20%. At the time, I was credited with writing the toughest immigration law in the nation.”
In a survey submitted to Ballotpedia, Young says the primary messages of his campaign are limiting immigration through the U.S.-Mexico border, improving veteran services, supporting the military with long-term foreign policy plans, and advocating for fiscal responsibility. Young said his military experience would help him work on issues affecting military veterans. Young said, “Being a Marine veteran, I’m uniquely qualified to help our veterans, to listen to them, and talk to them every day. They are a huge population in our district, and they are an underserved community.”
Independent election analysts, including the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, rate the district as “likely Republican,” meaning Republicans have a clear advantage in the district, but an upset is possible. Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates the district as a “safe Republican” seat.