Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) is convinced former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has it out for her.
And she thinks it's based on settling a score for her being part of what he's dubbed the "Crazy Eight" — lawmakers who unceremoniously bucked him from his prestigious perch.
Late last year, the House of Representatives (including Mace) passed a motion to vacate, with Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz spearheading the effort.
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That historic moment led to McCarthy being forced to relinquish the gavel and ultimately flee D.C.
"It’s about revenge,” Mace told NBC News, revealing the now California civilian McCarthy is pushing his financial partners to pump monies into rivals. “It’s also about honesty and integrity. And my vote to oust Kevin McCarthy was about trust.”
The outlet interviewed the candidate from her Daniel Island campaign headquarters.
The now civilian who was quickly removed as speaker has since donated to a Mace primary challenger, and supporters have brought attacks against the congresswoman, NBC News reported.
Mace is facing an existential threat politically in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District with Catherine Templeton running against her. The Palmetto State's citizens head to the ballot box on Tuesday.
A fellow Trump supporter, Templeton also served as labor, environmental and public health secretary under former Gov. Nikki Haley's cabinet.
She confirmed Mace’s vote to oust McCarthy was “absolutely” what helped her decide to run against Mace. Templeton is also a Trump backer and served as labor secretary in then-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s Cabinet.
McCarthy contributed to Templeton’s campaign through his leadership PAC. There are reportedly others in McCarthy's crosshairs: next week House Freedom Caucus chair Bob Good’s primary in Virginia, as well as Reps. Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) — both are up for reelection and face challengers this summer.
Mace is banking on South Carolinians to keep her doing work on their behalf for a third term.
“Everybody sort of leaves me for dead, right,” Mace asked, suggesting she feels the fight is on her shoulders alone. “They say, ‘She’s out’ every election. It’s always, ‘She’s never gonna make it,’ and then we do.
"I want to win bigger than ever before Tuesday night because I want to send a message to Washington that voters don’t care about D.C.”
One notable she can count on?
MAGA leader and presumptive GOP nominee former President Donald.
Trump spoke out on his Truth Social account Monday to endorse a number of Republican politicians — with the backing of one standout: Mace.
"Nancy Mace worked hard campaigning across South Carolina in support of our Record-Breaking WIN. In Congress, she is fighting to Secure the Border, Strengthen our Military, Support our Veterans, Uphold the Rule of Law, Stop Political Weaponization, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment."
