Campaign

GOP challenger says Mace ‘sold out President Trump’

by Caroline Vakil - 02/08/22 3:20 PM ET

Republican Katie Arrington announced in a campaign ad that she is running to unseat incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), alleging in the video that Mace “sold out President Trump.”

“Let’s be honest. Nancy Mace is a sellout. She sold out the Lowcountry. She sold out President Trump. She is more interested in becoming a mainstream media celebrity than fighting for the people she’s supposed to represent,” Arrington, who previously ran in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District and lost, says in the ad.

“Selfies with Carole Baskin, Monkey Island, legalizing marijuana. Why is she prioritizing that over the skyrocketing inflation, high gas prices and economic security for the Lowcountry? Is Nancy Mace high?” Arrington continued.

Arrington drew attention in 2018 when she beat former Rep. Mark Sanford (S.C.) in the GOP primary in the district. However, she ultimately lost to Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.), who flipped the seat blue.

In a tweet that appeared to react to the news of Arrington entering the race, Mace wrote on Tuesday, “Bring. It. On.”

Mace told South Carolina newspaper The State that she did not watch the campaign ad, calling it “nasty” and “unnecessary.”

She said in a statement that she has been honored to serve in Congress.

“Serving in Congress is the honor of my lifetime, and I at least partially have her 2018 loss in our District to thank for that,” she said, referring to Arrington. “I look forward to earning the vote of everyone in the Lowcountry once again, and continuing to serve the 1st District in my next term.”

Earlier this week, Mace got a boost to her campaign when former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) said she was endorsing the incumbent congresswoman.

“Nancy Mace is a fighter who stands up to Biden’s reckless spending, punches back against lawless lockdowns and mandates, & is strong on border security. That’s why I’m proud to endorse my congresswoman, @NancyMace, for reelection,” Haley tweeted on Monday.

— Updated Feb. 10 at 10:33 p.m.