Republican representative Nancy Mace has expressed no regrets over her decision to advocate for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. This stance came despite her placing fifth in South Carolina’s Republican primary for governor.
In the June 9 primary, Mace finished last after failing to receive an endorsement from President Donald Trump. She attributed her loss largely to her vote favoring the release of the Epstein files. Trump’s endorsement remains influential in Republican primaries, and Mace’s divergence from him on a high-profile issue introduced political risks.
Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson are set to compete in a June 23 runoff. Mace’s defeat has cast uncertainty over her political trajectory after she relinquished her House seat. Evette led the Republican candidates with 28.9%, followed by Wilson at 26.2%, while Mace secured only 12.1%.
The debate surrounding the Epstein files became a prominent issue in the race, revealing internal divisions within the Republican Party related to transparency and allegiance to Trump. Mace was a strong proponent of releasing these files, which put her in conflict with Trump during a pivotal time in the campaign.
Mace reacted to her loss with an extensive statement, suggesting the defeat stemmed from her principles rather than political maneuvering. She acknowledged losing support due to her decision regarding the Epstein files and expressed a sense of peace with the outcome, characterizing the matter as a ‘moral emergency.’
The congresswoman framed herself as a contender willing to challenge affluent and influential figures across party lines. She emphasized the significance of uncovering alleged wrongdoings, including what she termed a ‘sexual harassment slush fund,’ over achieving electoral victory.
Mace’s campaign message relied heavily on her personal and political identity. As a survivor of sexual assault, her support for releasing the files was grounded in her own experiences, and she depicted the issue as part of a larger push for accountability.
Despite her defeat, Mace indicated no withdrawal from the political scene, asserting to her supporters, ‘this isn’t the end of the fight—it’s just the end of this chapter.’
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