U.S. Representative Nancy Mace has officially announced her candidacy for governor of South Carolina, joining a competitive Republican primary field. Mace, who represents South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, made her announcement on Monday through a video posted on her social media platforms. The video, titled "Nancy Mace for Governor," features clips from her recent speeches and concludes with a call to action for supporters.

"I'm running to put South Carolina first," Mace stated in an interview. She emphasized her commitment to implementing common-sense policies and taking bold actions to benefit the state. Mace's entry into the race adds to a growing list of Republican candidates, including U.S. Representative Ralph Norman, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, State Attorney General Alan Wilson, and State Senator Josh Kimbrell. The current governor, Henry McMaster, is unable to seek re-election due to term limits.

Mace, 47, has a history of controversial statements and actions. Once critical of former President Donald Trump, she has since aligned herself with him and adopted a more combative political stance. In her campaign, she has pledged a "zero-tolerance approach to crime," proposed eliminating the state income tax, and vowed to combat what she describes as "woke ideology" in South Carolina schools.

In a speech delivered at The Citadel, where she made history as the first woman to graduate from the military college, Mace criticized politicians who she claims are insincere. "South Carolina is tired of politicians who smile for the cameras, lie to your face, then vanish when it’s time to lead," she said. Mace has positioned herself as a fighter for the people, stating, "I don’t answer to the establishment. I answer to the people — and the people are fed up."

Polling data from July indicated that Mace had the support of 16 percent of Republican voters, slightly ahead of Wilson, who garnered 15 percent. The poll also showed that 52 percent of voters were undecided. Mace's campaign is expected to focus on her conservative policies and her past experiences in Congress, where she has been a vocal opponent of certain spending bills and has taken a strong stance on social issues.

Mace has previously faced scrutiny for her comments regarding transgender rights, having supported measures to restrict access to bathrooms for transgender individuals. She has also made headlines for her allegations against four men regarding sexual misconduct, claiming that Wilson failed to act on the evidence she provided. Wilson has denied these allegations, stating that no formal complaints were made to his office.

As the primary race heats up, Mace is set to host a series of town hall events across South Carolina, dubbed the "Mother of ALL Town Halls," starting with an event in Myrtle Beach. The outcome of the Republican primary is anticipated to be highly competitive, with endorsements and campaign strategies playing a crucial role in determining the nominee.