Trump calls for ‘good and smart’ SC GOP challengers to run against Rice, Mace in 2022
Former President Donald Trump said in a weekend statement that he wants challengers to primary Republicans who have not been completely loyal to him, including two South Carolina representatives seeking reelection next year.
In a statement Saturday, Trump named sixteen Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of Daniel Island and Tom Rice of Myrtle Beach, who he wants to see out of office.
“Any interest from good and SMART America First Republican Patriots to run primary campaigns against Representatives Tom Rice, ... (and) Nancy Mace” among others, Trump said in a statement that also named several other Republicans who voted for the infrastructure bill. “You will have my backing!”
Neither Mace nor Rice voted for the infrastructure bill, a much-needed win for President Joe Biden.
However, both have found themselves at odds with the former president.
Rice — who supported Trump’s agenda more than 90% of the time, campaigned and raised money for Trump — was one of 10 Republicans to vote to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
The first term congresswoman, Mace, who was critical of Trump after the riot, voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for not appearing in front of the Jan. 6 committee. He turned himself in to the FBI Monday.
Mace represents a competitive Lowcountry district, which Republicans flipped in the 2020 election, ousting one-term congressman Joe Cunningham. Cunningham is seeking the Democratic nomination for South Carolina governor.
Mace has four potential primary opponents in the 1st District, according to fundraising reports. She also has two Democratic challengers, Annie Andrews and Rebecca Niess Cingolani, who are both actively fundraising.
“Serving in Congress is the honor of my lifetime. I look forward to continuing to serve the 1st district,” Mace said when asked about Trump’s statement.
In the 7th District, Rice faces 13 potential challengers, including Graham Allen who has raised $738,000 for his campaign and state Rep. Russell Fry, R-Horry, who has raised nearly $225,000.
All of Rice’s primary challengers trail him in the fundraising race as he has collected $1.1 million so far this cycle.
“Well at least I’m number 1!” Rice said in response to Trump. “Looks like he’s thrilled with my current opposition.”
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Trump calls for ‘good and smart’ SC GOP challengers to run against Rice, Mace in 2022."
