Nancy Mace is one of the most recognizable Republican politicians in the United States. Known for her outspoken personality, conservative positions, and willingness to challenge political opponents, Mace has built a national profile as a congresswoman representing South Carolina. In 2026, she made headlines again after her bid to become South Carolina’s next governor ended in a disappointing primary defeat.
From becoming the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets program to serving in Congress and running for governor, Nancy Mace’s journey has been filled with historic milestones, controversies, and political battles.
Who Is Nancy Mace?
Nancy Mace is an American politician and member of the Republican Party. She has represented South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 2021. Before entering Congress, she served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020.
Mace gained national attention for her independent political style. Throughout her career, she has sometimes aligned closely with former President Donald Trump while at other times publicly disagreeing with him on specific issues.
Nancy Mace’s Age and Early Life
Nancy Ruth Mace was born on December 4, 1977, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She grew up in a military family. Her father, General James Emory Mace, served in the U.S. Army and later became Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel. Her mother worked as a schoolteacher.
As of 2026, Nancy Mace is 48 years old.
Her upbringing emphasized discipline, leadership, and public service, values that would later shape her political career.
Did Nancy Mace Graduate From The Citadel?
Yes, Nancy Mace graduated from The Citadel and made history while doing so.
In 1999, she became the first woman to graduate from the school’s Corps of Cadets program. At the time, The Citadel had only recently opened its military program to women. Mace earned a degree in business administration and graduated magna cum laude.
Her experience at The Citadel became the subject of her memoir, In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel, which detailed the challenges she faced while breaking barriers in a traditionally male institution.
Afterward, she continued her education and earned a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia in 2004.
Business Career Before Politics
Before becoming a politician, Mace worked in communications and consulting.
In 2008, she founded The Mace Group, a public relations and consulting firm. She also became involved with FITSNews, a South Carolina political news website, before later selling her ownership stake.
Her background in communications helped her become an effective public speaker and media personality, skills that later benefited her political campaigns.
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Political Career
South Carolina House of Representatives
Nancy Mace entered elected office in 2018 when she won a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
During her time in the state legislature, she focused on economic freedom, government accountability, and tax issues. She received recognition from conservative organizations for her legislative work.
Election to Congress
In 2020, Mace successfully ran for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District and defeated Democratic incumbent Joe Cunningham.
Her victory made her the first Republican woman ever elected to Congress from South Carolina. She was subsequently re-elected in 2022 and 2024.
In Congress, Mace became known for her strong positions on border security, government spending, women’s issues, and accountability in federal agencies.
Does Nancy Mace Support Donald Trump?
One of the most frequently asked questions about Nancy Mace concerns her relationship with Donald Trump.
The answer is complicated.
Throughout her congressional career, Mace has often supported Trump’s policies and described herself as aligned with the MAGA movement. During her gubernatorial campaign, she repeatedly emphasized her support for Trump and his agenda. She even publicly stated that “Trump protects women” while promoting her campaign.
However, their relationship has experienced ups and downs.
After the January 6 Capitol riot, Mace criticized Trump, creating tension between them. Later, she rebuilt her relationship with Trump’s supporters and embraced many of his political positions. Despite these efforts, Trump ultimately endorsed South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette rather than Mace in the 2026 governor’s race.
So while Nancy Mace generally supports many of Trump’s policies and has often campaigned as a Trump ally, she has also occasionally broken with him, making their political relationship more complicated than that of many other Republican politicians.
Is Nancy Mace Married?
Nancy Mace is currently not married.
Her first marriage was to attorney and Air Force Reserve JAG officer Chris Niemiec. Following their divorce, she married Curtis Jackson. The couple had two children together before divorcing in 2019.
In 2022, Mace became engaged to businessman Patrick Bryant, but the engagement ended in 2023. Their breakup later became part of a highly publicized dispute involving serious allegations and legal battles.
As of 2026, Nancy Mace remains unmarried and continues to focus on her political career.
Nancy Mace Children and Personal Life
Nancy Mace is the mother of two children.
Throughout her political career, she has frequently spoken about balancing motherhood and public service. She has also highlighted issues affecting women and families as part of her legislative agenda.
She currently resides on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Nancy Mace’s 2026 South Carolina Governor Race
In August 2025, Mace officially announced her candidacy for governor of South Carolina. The race attracted significant national attention because several prominent Republican candidates entered the contest.
Mace campaigned on conservative priorities, government reform, and public safety. She hoped her congressional profile would help her secure the Republican nomination. However, the race became increasingly competitive as Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette gained momentum.
The campaign was also shaped by the battle for Donald Trump’s endorsement. Many political observers viewed the race as a test of Trump’s influence within South Carolina Republican politics.
Nancy Mace Loses Governor Bid in 2026
The biggest political news surrounding Nancy Mace in 2026 was her defeat in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
On June 9, 2026, South Carolina voters rejected Mace’s bid for governor. She finished behind multiple candidates, while Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson advanced to a runoff election. Reports described the result as a significant setback for Mace’s political ambitions.
Following the loss, Mace suggested that her advocacy regarding sexual abuse allegations and the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files may have contributed to voter backlash. She nevertheless vowed to continue fighting for the issues she believes in.
The defeat marked one of the most challenging moments of her political career and raised questions about her future political plans.
What Is Nancy Mace Doing Now?
Following her gubernatorial primary loss, Nancy Mace remains a sitting member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. She has indicated that she plans to continue her political work despite the setback.
Political observers are watching closely to see whether she seeks re-election to Congress, pursues another statewide office in the future, or takes on a different role within Republican politics. For now, she remains an influential conservative voice in national politics.
Conclusion
Nancy Mace’s story is one of perseverance, controversy, and political ambition. From becoming the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets to serving in Congress and launching a gubernatorial campaign, she has repeatedly made history.
Although her 2026 bid for governor ended in defeat, Mace remains a prominent Republican figure with a national profile. Whether through Congress or future political campaigns, her role in American politics is far from over.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Nancy Mace?
Nancy Mace was born on December 4, 1977, and is 48 years old as of 2026.
Is Nancy Mace married?
No. Nancy Mace is currently not married. She has been married twice and has two children.
Did Nancy Mace graduate from The Citadel?
Yes. She became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets program in 1999.
Does Nancy Mace support Trump?
Mace generally supports many of Donald Trump’s policies and has campaigned as a Trump ally, though their relationship has experienced periods of disagreement.
What is Nancy Mace doing now?
She continues serving as a U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District after losing the 2026 South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary