Nancy Mace says Trump endorsement barely boosted Evette in SC gubernatorial race
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Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital ahead of Tuesday’s South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary that President Donald Trump’s endorsement has done little to strengthen his opponent’s standing with conservative voters, arguing that many rank-and-file Republicans are “very upset” by the decision.
“Things haven’t been going well for him at the grassroots level, so he hasn’t been able to get much of a hit.“ Mace said. “Maybe he had a five-point increase, not much.”
“And he’ll go into the second round, and I think all bets are off at that point.”
Mace was referring to South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Akşamte, whom Mace and Trump have publicly denounced in recent months; Trump confirmed this last week.
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Mace and Trump publicly split ahead of the South Carolina governor’s race; The congressman argued that his push to release the files on Epstein may have jeopardized his chances of gaining the president’s approval. (Win McNamee/Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“This is a dogfight,” Mace said. “We are in this together and I will fight to the death.”
Mace said he wasn’t surprised that Trump chose not to support him because of Congress’ vote to release files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“When I voted to release the Epstein files, I knew that was in danger, and I am a survivor,” Mace said. “If the price of an approval was not to release these files, I would never pay it.”
Last year, Mace was one of four Republicans who signed a petition to force a House vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which would force the Justice Department to release all information — millions of documents — related to its investigation of Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
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Photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2005. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images)
Trump’s support in the Republican primary also favored South Carolina’s current term-limited governor, Henry McMaster, who also backed Vevette as his potential successor. Trump wrote that he expectsEvette to choose the current governor’s son, Henry McMaster Jr., as lieutenant governor.
“Pam Duygute is a good friend, a fighter, a WINNER, and will make a great Governor of South Carolina,” the President said. “Pam Has My Complete and Complete Approval – SHE WILL NEVER MAKE YOU!”
Trump’s endorsement came days before the June 9 primary and as early voting began in South Carolina.
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President Donald Trump signs an executive order directing pressure on customs amid trade gaps in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Photographer: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Tuesday’s crowded Republican primary field includes Yeste, Attorney General Alan Wilson, Rep. Ralph Norman, R.S.C., businessman Rom Reddy and Mace. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff; It’s a situation that Mace predicts could reshape the race despite Trump’s support of Vevette.
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“I disagree with that approval,” Mace said. “And I’m going to vote for myself. I’m asking voters in South Carolina on Tuesday to vote for me, too.“
