Nancy Mace ‘taking a look at’ Lindsey Graham’s seat after senator’s death
Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) is considering running for the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the recent death of Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away at age 71.Mace, who recently lost her gubernatorial bid, plans to explore a possible campaign, leveraging her remaining campaign funds. She has not publicly announced her decision but has paid tribute to Graham, praising his dedication to South Carolina. The upcoming special election for Graham’s seat is scheduled for August 11, and Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint an interim senator until then. Graham’s primary challengers faced little opposition due to his strong ties with Trump, making the race unpredictable. Mace’s past primary results have been disappointing, but she remains interested in the prospect, expressing admiration for Graham’s legacy.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is eyeing former Sen. Lindsey Graham’s seat as the state scrambles to find a replacement for the senator, who died on Saturday evening at age 71.
“I’m never going to shut the door. I love the state of South Carolina. You only live once, and if the people of South Carolina would like me to serve in that capacity, I’ll certainly take a look at it,” the congresswoman said before noting that “right now, I just want to focus on him and his legacy, what he did for the state.”
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Mace just lost her gubernatorial bid by a significant margin and will leave her House seat in January. Two sources speaking with the outlet said she plans to begin exploring the possibility of running for the seat this week, according to a Politico report.
The sources said Mace will begin polling for a possible run this week and has money left over in her federal campaign account from past runs. She will need to make a decision quickly, as South Carolina law holds that a special election must be held Aug. 11 to choose a replacement for Graham in the 2026 race. He had readily won his primary with nearly 57% of the vote last month.
Mace’s prospects are doubtful, however, as she finished in fifth place in the gubernatorial primary, despite her name recognition and spot in the House. Mace had previously mounted a Senate primary challenge to Graham in 2014 but was likewise crushed and came in fifth place.
The congresswoman hasn’t commented on the possibility publicly but extended a lengthy tribute to Graham on social media.
LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER ‘BRIEF AND SUDDEN ILLNESS’
“South Carolina lost a giant last night. For more than three decades Lindsey Graham gave everything he had to this state and this country, from the Air Force to the United States Senate. We did not always agree, but no one ever questioned his love for South Carolina or the fight he brought to every room he walked into,” Mace wrote. “Please join me in praying for his family and for all who called him a friend.”
Few serious challengers were willing to take on Graham in his primary this year due to his close alliance with President Donald Trump, meaning the special primary to replace him is a true toss-up. Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) will soon appoint a replacement to serve in his seat until Jan. 3.
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