Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), according to two sources familiar with her plans. Graham passed away late Saturday due to a brief illness, as announced by his office on Sunday morning.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint an interim replacement to serve until January 3. However, since Graham was up for reelection this cycle, a special election will be held on August 11 to select a GOP nominee. The winner will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in the November election.
One source described Mace's mindset as "YOLO," indicating a sense of urgency in her decision-making. Her team plans to conduct a poll to assess her viability for the Senate race. Mace previously ran for South Carolina governor but finished fifth in the primary, which was won by state attorney general Alan Wilson.
Mace has attempted to unseat Graham in the past, running in the 2014 primary where she also finished fifth. She was elected to the state legislature in 2018 and to Congress in 2020. Initially critical of Trump, she later became a supporter and has identified as a social conservative.