Trump-endorsed Nancy Mace wins South Carolina's congressional primary

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace defeated a Republican challenger backed by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Tuesday’s primary race for the 1st Congressional District seat.

After winning the party’s nomination to represent the coastal Charleston area, she will now face a Democrat opponent in the traditionally red state’s general election this fall. Mace was first elected to the House in 2020 and made an enemy when she voted to oust Johnson during her second term. He and his allies backed Catherine Templeton, a former South Carolina cabinet official under then-Gov. Nikki Haley, in the race. She beat Templeton and her other Republican challenger, Bill Young, earning 58% of the vote when the Associated Press called the race.

Moments after the race was called, she said, “Lowcountry voters did it!” and thanked supporters in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

In another post, she said, “I’ve never been afraid to stand on principle or stand up against powerful people or powerful forces.” she said.

Mace previously staved off a primary challenger in 2022 from a Republican backed by former President Donald Trump after she blamed him for the Jan. 6, 2021 capitol riot.This year, she earned the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s endorsement after campaigning for him in February in South Carolina’s presidential primary.

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McCarthy supported Templeton’s campaign through political action committee donations. His Majority Committee PAC contributed $10,000 to her campaign. The American Prosperity Alliance, another group with ties to McCarthy, donated to the South Carolina Patriots PAC, which spent more than $2.1 million to defeat Mace, the Associated Press reported.

Following her victory Tuesday, Mace reposted a comment from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, who also voted to oust McCarthy.

“Congratulations Nance Mace! The McCarthy Revenge Tour bombs in its opening night,” Gaetz said.

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @rachelbarber_

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rep. Nancy Mace wins South Carolina Republican primary