Epstein Vote Backfires — Mace Torches Trump Pick

Nancy Mace finished fifth in the South Carolina Republican governor primary — and then endorsed the opponent of the candidate President Trump backed.

Story Snapshot

Mace lost the South Carolina GOP governor primary on June 9, 2026, finishing fifth in a crowded field.
She claims her vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files cost her Trump’s endorsement and hurt her campaign.
Trump endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, not Mace, after staying out of the race for months.
After conceding, Mace endorsed State Attorney General Alan Wilson — Evette’s opponent heading into the runoff.

Mace Loses Big in South Carolina

Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina entered the Republican governor’s race with name recognition and a national profile. On June 9, 2026, voters made their decision clear. Mace finished fifth in a six-person field. She conceded the same night and told supporters she believes the Epstein files vote is what ultimately cost her the race — and Trump’s backing.

The South Carolina primary was seen as another test of Trump’s pull with Republican voters. His endorsement went to Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, who led the field. The result fits a pattern: Trump-backed candidates have won in South Carolina while those outside his circle have struggled. Mace’s ally in the House, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, also lost his primary around the same time — another sign that crossing Trump carries real political risk.

The Epstein Files Fight

Mace was one of the few Republicans who pushed to release the Epstein files — documents tied to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She said before the primary that she knew the move likely cost her any chance at Trump’s support. Trump did not endorse her. Mace told supporters on election night that she paid a price for doing what she believed was right, even if it hurt her politically.

Whether the Epstein vote alone sank her campaign is hard to prove. The race had six candidates, and Trump’s late endorsement of Evette shifted momentum. Mace also faced other controversies heading into the vote. Still, the vote gave voters and Trump a clear reason to look elsewhere. It became a loyalty question as much as a policy one — and in a Trump-era Republican primary, loyalty matters.

Mace Endorses Trump’s Opponent in Runoff

After conceding, Mace made another surprising move. She endorsed State Attorney General Alan Wilson for governor. Wilson is running against Evette in the runoff — the same Evette that Trump endorsed. Mace’s decision to back Wilson puts her directly against Trump’s pick, even after losing badly. It raised eyebrows among South Carolina Republicans who see it as a parting shot rather than a graceful exit.

Nancy Mace will blame a "rigged election" for her primary loss on Tuesday June 9, 2026.
Nancy rigged her own defeat by behaving in ways that simply turned enough voters away from supporting her.
Nancy will find the cause of her defeat in her mirror.😕

— Randall Winters (@randall_wi88891) June 8, 2026

The move is unlikely to help Mace rebuild bridges with Trump or his base. Her political future is now uncertain. She gave up her House seat to run for governor, meaning she has no office to return to. The loss, the fifth-place finish, and the decision to back Wilson all add up to a rough end to a campaign that started with high hopes. For Trump’s team, the night was another win — proof that his endorsement still drives results in Republican primaries.