Nancy Mace has represented South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 2021. Known for her moderate conservative stance, Mace has focused on economic growth, veterans’ issues, and fiscal responsibility while often advocating for bipartisanship on key national issues.
Early Life and Education
Nancy Mace was born on December 4, 1977, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and grew up in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Her father, a retired Army general, influenced her disciplined and service-oriented upbringing. Mace became the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets in 1999, earning a degree in business administration. She later obtained a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia.
Early Career
Before entering politics, Mace built a career in business and consulting, leveraging her entrepreneurial skills to run a public relations firm. She also authored a memoir, In the Company of Men, detailing her experiences at The Citadel.
Political Career
Mace first gained political recognition in South Carolina politics when she joined Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign as a state coalitions director. She was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2018, where she championed free-market principles and legislation on equal pay and sexual assault reform.
In 2020, Mace won election to Congress, flipping South Carolina’s 1st District back to Republican control.
Key Legislative Priorities
In Congress, Mace has focused on:
- Veterans’ Issues: Advocating for better healthcare and resources for military veterans.
- Economic Development: Promoting tax policies to support small businesses and reduce regulatory burdens.
- Women’s Rights: Supporting measures for equal pay and workplace protections while balancing conservative values.
- Bipartisanship: Mace has sought common ground on divisive issues, such as marijuana reform and data privacy.
Notable Stances
- Marijuana Legalization: Mace introduced the States Reform Act to decriminalize marijuana federally, framing it as a pro-business, states’ rights issue.
- Climate Policy: Advocates for environmental solutions rooted in innovation rather than heavy regulations.
- Women’s Health: Mace has publicly supported exceptions to abortion bans in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening circumstances, a position that has drawn criticism and praise from different factions within her party.
Committee Assignments
Mace serves on the House Oversight and Reform Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where she has played an active role in policy discussions.
