By Allies of President Donald Trump are privately raising concerns that Rep. Nancy Mace could secure a victory in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, despite a record of public disagreements with the president that has complicated her standing within his political orbit.
Axios reports that Mace has remained a leading contender in the crowded June 9 primary, even after drawing Trump’s criticism for her push to release the Epstein files and for her objections to the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict. Her position in the race, particularly in a state that plays an early and influential role in the presidential nominating calendar, has introduced a layer of uncertainty for Trump’s longer-term political strategy heading into 2028.
Recent polling reflects a fragmented field with no clear front-runner. A survey conducted by the GOP firm co/efficient showed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette narrowly leading at 19%, with Mace close behind at 18%. Attorney General Alan Wilson registered 15%, followed by Rep. Ralph Norman at 13%. Under South Carolina law, a runoff would be triggered if no candidate secures a majority, advancing the top two finishers.
That possibility has sharpened concerns among Trump-aligned operatives, particularly in a scenario where both Mace and Norman advance. Norman had previously drawn Trump’s ire during the 2024 election cycle after backing Nikki Haley and publicly calling for new leadership within the Republican Party. “Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman sabotaged Trump when it mattered most. Their reward shouldn’t be the governor’s mansion,” a source close to the White House told the outlet.
Trump has not yet issued an endorsement in the race, a decision shaped in part by competing political incentives. According to sources familiar with internal deliberations, the president remains mindful of the narrow margins in the House of Representatives, where both Mace and Norman hold votes that could prove critical to advancing his legislative agenda.
Within that context, Evette has emerged as a potential consensus candidate among Trump’s allies. She contributed more than $1 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign, and several figures tied to his political operation are now assisting her gubernatorial bid. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a longstanding Trump ally, has also encouraged the president to back her candidacy. An endorsement, however, carries its own risks, including potential fallout with Rep. Joe Wilson, whose son, Alan Wilson, is also competing in the primary.
Evette recently had an invitation to give the commencement speech at South Carolina State, but it was rescinded after students allegedly threatened the event because she support’s the president’s agenda.
Compounding the tension is Mace’s continued pursuit of Trump’s endorsement, even as she has taken positions that diverge from his. She co-signed a discharge petition with Rep. Thomas Massie aimed at forcing the release of the Epstein files and declined requests from Trump to withdraw her support. Her campaign has also benefited from nearly $500,000 in backing from a super PAC aligned with Sen. Rand Paul, another figure who has frequently broken with the president.
“Nancy has asked for an endorsement countless times, which is confusing considering she teamed up with Massie to launch a dishonest attack on the administration in regards to the Epstein case,” a Trump political operative said.
Mace’s relationship with Trump has not been uniformly adversarial. She has, at times, offered praise for the president while simultaneously criticizing aspects of his foreign policy, including the administration’s approach to the Iran conflict and signaling openness to join Democrats on a war powers resolution.
Her campaign has rejected claims that Trump’s allies view her candidacy as a threat. A senior adviser dismissed the concerns as politically motivated. “The only people worried about Nancy Mace becoming governor are the consultants planting this story because they know the Trump endorsement isn’t coming for their candidate,” the adviser explained to Axios.
With the primary approaching, South Carolina Republicans are closely watching whether Trump will ultimately intervene. The decision carries implications beyond the state, as the governor’s office is expected to play a visible role in future presidential contests.
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