Nancy Mace Crushes McCarthy-Backed Challenger Amid Ethics Probe
AP Photo/Meg Kinnard
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) defeated her Republican primary challenger on Tuesday, dealing a blow to Kevin McCarthy, who has been working to oppose House Republicans who ousted him as speaker last year.
Mace trounced Catherine Templeton, who was trailing by nearly 30 percentage points with 40% of the expected vote counted in South Carolina’s 1st congressional district.
“I hope to embarrass him tonight,” she said on Tuesday while campaigning. “I want to send him back to the rock he’s living under right now. He’s not part of America. He doesn’t know what hard-working Americans go through every single day. I hope I drive Kevin McCarthy crazy.”
Mace’s win comes just days after the House Ethics Committee began reviewing a reimbursement program she implemented regarding her townhouse in Washington, D.C.
Citing an anonymous source on the committee, the New York Times reported on Saturday:
A change to House rules that went into effect last year allows members to be repaid for costs of lodging and food while they are on official business in Washington, up to $34,000 a year. Lawmakers are not required to submit receipts to be reimbursed, but they are strongly encouraged to keep them for their records.
According to the latest report by the Committee on House Administration, Ms. Mace was repaid more than $23,000 in lodging costs in 2023. Documents reviewed by The New York Times showed that amount included expenses for insurance, taxes and other monthly bills related to her townhouse. Lawmakers who own homes in the Washington area — as is the case for Ms. Mace — may not seek reimbursement for mortgage payments.
Mace was one of eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy in October after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a motion to vacate, triggering a vote of the House on whether to remove the speaker. McCarthy lost the speakership and resigned from the House in December.
Former President Donald Trump, who endorsed Mace, celebrated her victory in a post on Truth Social.
