Nancy Mace drops out of Senate race in South Carolina

Following Graham’s unexpected death last week, Mace had publicly floated a bid in the Aug. 11 Republican special primary election. She lost her gubernatorial bid recently and will leave her House seat in January.“I’m not running for the U.S. Senate, not because I’m backing down from a fight but because the one I’m already in matters right now,” Mace said in a video posted Monday. Mace said her focus remains on advocating stronger protections for women, arguing that existing laws “failed us.”“The laws meant to protect me and other women failed us, and I won’t stop until that changes,” she said. “So I’m not chasing another title. I’m chasing justice — justice for me, justice for other women, and justice for every little girl who was told to stay silent. That’s where my focus is today, and that’s where it’s going to stay.”She thanked supporters who encouraged her to enter the race. “Serving South Carolina has been the honor of my life, and I will continue to voice our values everywhere I can,” she said. Mace’s decision further clarifies the Republican field, which now includes Sen. Darline Graham Nordone (R-SC), the sister of the late senator, and Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Russell Fry (R-SC). Norman announced his campaign on Saturday and Fry on Monday.Graham Nordone, who was appointed by Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) to fill the seat following her brother’s death temporarily, confirmed she will seek a full term in the special election on Monday. She has also received backing from President Donald Trump. SOUTH CAROLINA GETS AN ELECTION, MAINE GETS A PARTY PICK: BYRON YORK“Darline, who comes from an absolutely incredible family, has been a WINNER all of her life and, should she accept, has my Complete and Total Endorsement in the Special Election for U.S. Senate in South Carolina,” the president wrote.Memorial services for Graham will begin Tuesday, July 28, in Washington, D.C., according to his office. Additional services are scheduled for July 29 in Columbia and Pickens County, South Carolina.