The primary election remains ten months ahead, yet many residents in South Carolina expressed a lack of enthusiasm to the Daily Mail concerning Nancy Mace’s unique bid for governor.

‘Absolutely not, not in South Carolina,’ stated Rodney, a Charleston local, as he conversed with the Daily Mail in the lively downtown area on Monday. He further emphasized his disapproval of the MAGA movement.

Another resident, Sherry, told the Daily Mail she is ‘not interested in Miss Mace.’

‘She’s for our current president,’ Sherry added, ‘That’s a no.’ 

Half of the individuals interviewed by the Daily Mail, who mostly preferred using their first names to maintain anonymity, were either outright opposed to Mace or expressed doubts about her congressional leadership.

Meanwhile, Annie, a South Carolinian seemingly in her mid-twenties, was more enthusiastic about Mace’s announcement. 

‘It’s wonderful to see a woman entering the gubernatorial race,’ mentioned another interviewee. ‘South Carolina has historically seen male candidates, so I’m eager to see her potential impact.’

Rep. Mace, 47, currently in her third term representing the coastal regions around Charleston, announced on Monday her intention to run for governor in 2026. She has built a bold image with intense encounters involving pro-transgender activists and by revealing her own harrowing experiences of sexual assault and abuse.

Embracing her controversial reputation established in Capitol Hill, the conservative politician steps into the competitive race to succeed the outgoing Governor Henry McMaster.

‘I’m not a huge fan of Nancy Mace for our governor,’ said Trent, a Republican from Charleston. ‘There’s a couple of big things that I don’t agree with her on.’

He didn’t elaborate on what, but did relent that he’d vote for Mace ‘if there’s not a better candidate.’

The congresswoman’s primary opponents include South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and fellow Rep. Ralph Norman.

Though the race is still early, whoever secures an endorsement from President Donald Trump will likely hold a major advantage among the crowded GOP field.  

Another South Carolinian, Bill, noted that Mace’s announcement ‘looks like an obvious step up for her … after a bunch of years in Congress.’ 

Another Republican, David, admitted he didn’t know anything about Mace. 

‘Well, I really don’t know much about her, but I’m gonna look at her for sure,’ he responded. As a conservative, he’d likely go for whoever the GOP nominee is, he later clarified. 

Maebelle, an elderly lady who appeared to be in her eighties, was happy to hear of Mace’s announcement and shared some excitement about the news because she claimed the two had met. 

‘I think she’s a cool person,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘I met her once, and I think she’ll be good.’

‘She seemed to be a fair person, and someone you can go to and talk to and for the right things.’ 

Early polling shows that the 47-year-old may be one of the top contenders to win the Republican nomination, though it’s too close to early seen. 

A survey from the South Carolina Policy Council published last week found Mace with 16 percent support while state AG Wilson had 15 percent.

Wilson, the son of longtime congressman Joe Wilson, announced his bid for office last month. Mace sparked attacks against Wilson for mishandling legal cases and has painted him as someone ‘who likes to put pedophiles on trial and give them one day in jail.’ 

Wilson has denied the accusation and has labeled the lawmaker a ‘liar.’  

The poll also showed Rep. Norman received 6 percent support, while Lt. Gov. Evette snagged 8 percent and State Sen. Josh Kimbrell had 3 percent. Still, over half of the respondents, 52 percent, said they were undecided. 

During Mace’s campaign announcement at her alma mater, The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, South Carolina, she ripped into ‘weak leadership’ of the past.

She pledged to no longer ‘turn a blind eye’ to ‘trannies invading women’s spaces, an unaccountable judicial process and failed schools.’

Her top priorities are to restore law and order, protect women and children and fix the judicial system. 

She also had some new proposals: The Republican unveiled a five-year plan to eliminate state income taxes. ‘Other states, like Florida, Tennessee, Texas, have zero state income tax,’ she said. 

Mace also announced initiatives to expand school choice, vocational education and floated policies that could help the state’s authorities better cooperate with ICE to accelerate deportations.