South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s gubernatorial campaign launched a new attack ad aimed at Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., as the two Republicans grapple for the GOP nomination in the Palmetto State governor’s race.
Released on Tuesday, the ad is titled “Never Trump Nancy” and features a clip from a past Mace interview in which she says she doesn’t believe President Donald Trump has a future in the Republican Party.
The spot also includes past clips of Trump dubbing the congresswoman “Crazy Nancy Mace,” and highlights that Mace hosted a fundraiser for former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., in 2021 and voted to certify former President Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election.
“She’s a terrible person and she knows no idea what she’s doing,” Trump says in the clip, which was taken at one of his rallies.
Initially critical of Trump, Mace has since become one of his most ardent supporters in Congress, even referring to herself as “Trump in heels” on the campaign trail.
The attack ad follows a $1 million multimedia ad buy from the Evette campaign, designed to play up the lieutenant governor’s connection to the president. According to The Associated Press, the 30-second TV spot is set to run across the state for a month and features a clip of Trump praising Evette as she stumped for him last year.
The primary election to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Henry McMaster is shaping up to be a battle for Trump’s endorsement, as five GOP rivals vie for the president’s backing in South Carolina ahead of next year’s nominating contest. Last November, Trump won the state by nearly 18 points.
A South Carolina Policy Council poll released in late July showed Mace leading the crowded primary field with 16% support among voters who identified themselves as Republicans. State Attorney General Alan Wilson was close behind, at 15% support. Evette rounded out the top three with 8% support, followed by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., with 6% support. Republican State Sen. Josh Kimbrell came in at 3% support.
The survey found that 52% of voters were undecided in their choice of Republican nominee, suggesting that there is significant opportunity for the candidates to shore up their support ahead of the June 9 primary election.
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