Nancy Mace wins S.C. primary to beat McCarthy-backed ouster attempt

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) talks to the media following a meeting of House Republicans hearing from members running for House speaker in the Longworth House Office Building on October 10, 2023. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) has defeated rival Catherine Templeton and Marine Corps veteran Bill Young to notch a Republican primary victory to defend her South Carolina House seat.

"We did it - You, Lowcountry voters did it," Mace celebrated on X. "A thousand times over - THANK YOU!"

The victory was also independently confirmed by AP and the New York Times, among others.

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The win hands firebrand Mace the chance to serve a third term representing South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.

Her GOP victory defeats former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's attempt to funnel funds and backing to Templeton in an effort to beat Mace.

Templeton, who served as the state's former director of labor, licensing, and regulation openly admitted it was Mace’s vote to oust McCarthy as House speaker last year that “absolutely” inspired her to run against Mace.

McCarthy contributed to Templeton's campaign through his leadership PAC.

Prior to taking home the win, Mace suggested that McCarthy had it out for her.

Mace was one of the so-called "Crazy Eight" — lawmakers who unceremoniously removed McCarthy in October.

Late last year, the House of Representatives passed a motion to vacate, with Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz spearheading the effort and Democrats voting with a handful of Republicans.

"It’s about revenge,” Mace told NBC News about her South Carolina competitor.

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The Mace race was just one of McCarthy's projects. 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) — have primaries.

MAGA leader and presumptive GOP nominee former President Donald endorsed Mace.

"Nancy Mace worked hard campaigning across South Carolina in support of our Record-Breaking WIN," he wrote.

"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."