Rep. Nancy Mace becomes the eighth Republican representative to announce a gubernatorial bid for 2026

By

Briana Ryan

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) announced on Aug. 4, 2025, that she will run for governor of South Carolina in 2026 rather than another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster (R) is term-limited.

As of July 29, 2025, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the seat Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

During an event announcing her campaign, Mace said, “I’m running for governor because South Carolina doesn’t need another empty suit and needs a governor who will fight for you and your values. South Carolina needs a governor who will drag the truth into sunlight and flip the tables if that’s what it takes.”

In 2020, Mace ran for her first term in the House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. She defeated incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham (D) in the general election 51% to 49%. Mace was one of 13 Republican challengers to defeat a Democratic incumbent in that year’s general elections for the House.

In her two subsequent re-election bids, Mace won by 13 percentage points in 2022 and 16 percentage points in 2024.

As of July 29, 2025, The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the seat Solid Republican. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

As of Aug. 4, 2025, 27 members of the U.S. Congress—seven senators and 20 representatives—have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats in 2026.

Of the 20 representatives not seeking re-election:

  • Four—three Democrats and one Republican—are retiring from public office.
  • Eight—five Democrats and three Republicans—are running for the U.S. Senate.
  • Eight—all Republicans—are running for governor.

Compared to the last four election cycles, there were 13 retirement announcements at this point in 2024, 18 in 2022, 17 in 2020, and 21 in 2018.

Between January 2011 and Aug. 4, 2025, Ballotpedia followed 374 announcements from Senate and House members who announced they would not seek re-election. January had seen the highest number of announcements of any month, at 69. The fewest announcements took place in June and August, with 16 announcements in each month.