Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, is considering a run for the Senate seat previously held by late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), according to people familiar with her thinking.
Graham passed away earlier this year, creating a vacancy in one of the state's two Senate seats. A person close to Mace told The Hill that when asked about her interest in the position, she responded with "YOLO" — an informal expression meaning "You Only Live Once." The congresswoman is expected to conduct polling this week to gauge support for a potential candidacy.
What the Left Is Saying
Democrats in South Carolina have pointed to Mace's previous political positions as potential vulnerabilities. The congresswoman has shifted on several key issues over her career, and opponents are likely to highlight those changes in a statewide race.
"Running statewide in South Carolina is very different from representing a coastal district," said one Democratic strategist familiar with Southern politics who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the race candidly. "The electorate in a Senate race will be older, more conservative, and harder to persuade than in her House district."
Progressive groups have also noted that Mace's current alignment with former President Donald Trump could complicate efforts to frame her as a moderate, despite her earlier criticism of some Trump policies.
What the Right Is Saying
Mace's supporters argue she brings a combination of anti-establishment credentials and crossover appeal that could serve her well in a general election. Her ability to win in a district that includes parts of Charleston — a more moderate area — demonstrates electoral flexibility, allies say.
"Nancy has proven she can win tough races and take on the establishment when it matters," said a Republican operative who works on South Carolina politics. "She would be a strong candidate who could consolidate GOP support quickly."
Other conservatives note that Mace's willingness to work across the aisle on certain issues, including some veterans' affairs legislation, demonstrates she can build coalitions — an asset in a statewide race.
What the Numbers Show
Mace won re-election in 2024 by approximately 14 percentage points in her House district. However, South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1998, when Ernest "Fritz" Hollings won his final term.
Trump carried South Carolina in 2024 with about 56 percent of the vote. Graham consistently won re-election by margins between 15 and 20 percentage points during his tenure.
The state's other current senator, Tim Scott (R-S.C.), was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2013 before winning election outright. Special election procedures for Senate vacancies in South Carolina require governor appointment followed by a subsequent election.
The Bottom Line
Mace's potential candidacy represents one of the first high-profile entries into what will be a closely watched race to complete Graham's term. Her polling this week will provide early data on whether she can mount a viable campaign against primary opponents and, potentially, a Democratic challenger.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will need to appoint an interim successor if Graham's seat becomes vacant before a permanent replacement is elected through the state's special election process. The timeline for that election has not yet been formally announced.