Career Timeline of Nancy Mace: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Nancy Mace built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nancy Mace is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2021. A Republican, she is known for her occasionally independent stance within the party. Before entering Congress, Mace was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. She also has a background in business, having founded a consulting firm. As a congresswoman, she has focused on issues such as coastal protection, veterans' affairs, and economic development.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1999: Graduated from The Citadel

In 1999, Nancy Mace became the first woman to graduate from the Corps of Cadets program at the Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

1999: Graduated from Citadel's Corps of Cadets program

In 1999, Nancy Mace graduated from the Citadel's Corps of Cadets program, earning a degree in business administration magna cum laude.

2001: Published "In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel"

In 2001, Nancy Mace wrote "In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel", which was published by Simon & Schuster.

In the Company of Men: A Woman at the Citadel

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2004: Earned master's degree

In 2004, Nancy Mace earned a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.

2007: Started working for FITSNews

In 2007, Nancy Mace began working for the website FITSNews.

2008: Started The Mace Group

In 2008, Nancy Mace started a public relations and consulting firm called The Mace Group.

2012: Volunteered for Ron Paul campaign

In 2012, Nancy Mace volunteered for the campaign of presidential candidate Ron Paul.

August 2013: Announced candidacy for U.S. Senate

In August 2013, Nancy Mace announced her candidacy in the 2014 election for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in South Carolina.

2013: Sold stake in FITSNews

In 2013, Nancy Mace sold her stake in the website FITSNews.

June 10, 2014: Lost primary election for U.S. Senate

On June 10, 2014, Nancy Mace received 19,560 votes (6.2% of the vote) in the primary election, losing to Lindsey Graham and other candidates.

2014: Mace Calls for Repeal of Obamacare

During her 2014 U.S. Senate campaign, Mace said "We must use any means possible to repeal, defund, and ultimately stop Obamacare" because it will "suffocate individual liberty and further stifle economic growth".

2016: Supported Trump's presidential campaign

In 2016, Nancy Mace supported Donald Trump for president as a coalitions director and field director for the campaign.

September 18, 2017: Filed to run in special election

On September 18, 2017, Nancy Mace filed as a Republican to run in a special election for the South Carolina State House District 99 seat.

January 16, 2018: Won general election

On January 16, 2018, Nancy Mace defeated Democrat Cindy Boatwright in the general election, securing the South Carolina State House District 99 seat.

January 23, 2018: Took office in South Carolina State House

On January 23, 2018, Nancy Mace took office in the South Carolina State House.

November 6, 2018: Won general election

On November 6, 2018, Nancy Mace defeated the Democratic nominee, Mount Pleasant resident Jen Gibson, in the general election.

2018: Represented the 99th district in the South Carolina House of Representatives

From 2018, Nancy Mace represented the 99th district in the South Carolina House of Representatives, covering Hanahan, northeast Mount Pleasant, and Daniel Island.

2018: Democrat Joe Cunningham won South Carolina's 1st congressional district

In 2018, Democrat Joe Cunningham won the seat for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in a surprise victory.

June 2019: Announced candidacy for South Carolina's 1st congressional district

In June 2019, Nancy Mace announced that she would seek the Republican nomination for South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

2019: Advocated for exceptions in abortion ban bill

In 2019, Nancy Mace advocated for the inclusion of exceptions for rape and incest in a bill for a six-week abortion ban. During a speech, Mace revealed she had been raped at age 16.

May 2020: Prison reform bill signed into law

In May 2020, Governor Henry McMaster signed Nancy Mace's prison reform bill into law, which ends the shackling of pregnant women in prison.

2020: Refused to support challenge to 2020 election results

In 2020, Nancy Mace publicly refused to support efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, citing that Congress did not have the authority to influence the election's outcome.

2020: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2020, Nancy Mace was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first Republican woman elected to Congress from South Carolina.

January 3, 2021: Assumed office

On January 3, 2021, Nancy Mace assumed office after defeating Joe Cunningham.

January 6, 2021: Criticized Trump for Capitol attack

On January 6, 2021, Nancy Mace criticized President Trump for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

April 2021: Mace Opposes D.C. Statehood

In April 2021, Mace voiced her opposition to a Democratic proposal to grant the District of Columbia statehood.

May 2021: Mace Introduces Legislation to Ban Mink Farming

In May 2021, Mace and Representative Rosa DeLauro introduced legislation to ban the farming of mink for fur, citing concerns about zoonotic disease.

May 18, 2021: Voted against COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

On May 18, 2021, Nancy Mace joined 61 other House Republicans to vote against the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, citing concerns about discrimination against Asian-Americans in higher education.

June 2021: Mace Votes for Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act

In June 2021, Mace was one of 26 Republicans to vote for the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act.

June 2021: Mace Votes to Repeal Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution

In June 2021, Mace was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.

October 21, 2021: Vote to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress

On October 21, 2021, Nancy Mace was among nine House Republicans who voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena related to the January 6 Attack. She explained her vote by expressing a desire to retain the power to subpoena.

November 2021: Criticized Lauren Boebert for anti-Muslim comments

In November 2021, Nancy Mace criticized Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert for her anti-Muslim comments about Democrat Ilhan Omar.

2021: Mace Cosponsors Life at Conception Act

In 2021, Mace cosponsored the Life at Conception Act, which would recognize a fertilized egg as a person with equal protections and establish a nationwide abortion ban.

2021: Introduction of the States Reform Act

In 2021, Mace introduced the States Reform Act to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, regulating it similarly to alcohol and aiming to protect children while ending federal interference with state cannabis laws.

2021: Mace Did Not Sign Onto Amicus Brief to Overturn Roe v. Wade

In 2021, Mace was among a few Republican representatives who did not sign onto an amicus brief to overturn Roe v. Wade.

2021: Became U.S. Representative

In 2021, Nancy Mace became the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

2021: Voted against American Rescue Plan Act

In 2021, Nancy Mace, along with all other Senate and House Republicans, voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

2021: Pleaded with Trump to condemn Capitol attack

In 2021, after the United States Capitol attack, Nancy Mace pleaded with Donald Trump to condemn it. She later voted against impeaching Trump, stating that due process had not been properly followed.

2021: Mace Expresses Support for LGBTQ Rights

In 2021, the Washington Examiner wrote that Mace "is a supporter of both religious liberty and gay marriage." Later that year, she told the Examiner, "I strongly support LGBTQ rights and equality. No one should be discriminated against."

July 2022: Mace Votes for Respect for Marriage Act

In July 2022, Mace was among 47 Republican representatives who voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects existing same-sex and interracial marriages under federal law.

2022: Mace Criticized States Enacting Abortion Bans After Overturning of Roe v. Wade

In 2022, Mace criticized states enacting abortion bans without exceptions in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

2022: Mace Votes for Ukraine Aid

In 2022, Mace voted for H.R. 7691, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would provide $40 billion in emergency aid to the Ukrainian government.

2022: Defeated Katie Arrington in Republican primary

In 2022, Nancy Mace defeated Katie Arrington in the Republican primary for her congressional seat, despite Trump's endorsement of Arrington.

2022: Republicans regain control of the House of Representatives

In 2022, Nancy Mace voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress in order to retain the power to subpoena in the event that Republicans regained control of the House of Representatives, which subsequently occurred in 2022.

2022: Re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2022, Nancy Mace was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

January 2023: Mace Introduces Standing with Moms Act

In January 2023, Mace introduced the Standing with Moms Act, which would create a website linking women to crisis pregnancy centers.

February 2023: Introduced Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act

In February 2023, Nancy Mace introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act, which aims to share federal offshore wind power revenue with states for coastal protection and restoration work.

May 31, 2023: Mace Votes Against Fiscal Responsibility Act

On May 31, 2023, Mace was among 71 House Republicans who voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 to raise the debt ceiling.

July 2023: Mace Questions Official on UAP Claims

In July 2023, as Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, Mace questioned David Grusch, a former senior intelligence official, about claims of recovered extraterrestrial spacecraft and biological remains during a congressional hearing on UAPs.

October 2, 2023: House passed the MACE Act

On October 2, 2023, the House of Representatives passed a cybersecurity bill titled the MACE Act, intended to modernize federal cybersecurity job requirements. The bill was introduced by Nancy Mace.

October 3, 2023: Voted to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker

On October 3, 2023, Nancy Mace voted in favor of removing Kevin McCarthy, a fellow Republican, from his position as speaker of the House. She cited McCarthy's failure to follow through on her legislative priorities.

October 2023: Mace Leads Opposition to EATS Act

In October 2023, Mace led a letter by 16 House Republicans opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2023 farm bill.

2023: Mace Votes for Ban on Center of Excellence in Ukraine

In 2023, Mace voted for a ban on a Center of Excellence in Ukraine that enhances NATO activities.

2023: Mace Votes to Remove U.S. Troops from Syria

In 2023, Mace was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.

January 2024: Called Hunter Biden "the epitome of White privilege"

During a hearing in January 2024, Nancy Mace called Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, "the epitome of White privilege."

March 2024: Mace Opposes EATS Act

In March 2024, Mace joined another House Republican letter expressing opposition to the EATS Act and any legislative language that would nullify state agricultural laws.

April 2024: Mace Introduces Legislation to Prohibit Federal Funding for Experiments on Dogs and Cats

In April 2024, Mace introduced legislation to prohibit federal funding for experiments on dogs and cats, citing concerns about animal cruelty.

April 2024: Introduced Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act

In April 2024, Nancy Mace introduced the Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act (PAAW Act), which aims to prevent the National Institute of Health from conducting or supporting research that causes pain to dogs and cats.

May 2024: Mace Co-Founds Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus

In May 2024, Mace co-founded the Congressional Dog Lovers Caucus alongside Representatives Jared Moskowitz and Susan Wild.

November 2024: Mace Criticizes Pentagon's UAP Office

In a November 2024 hearing, Mace criticized the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) for its handling of UAPs and questioned the government's secrecy.

2024: Endorsed Trump in Republican primaries

In 2024, Nancy Mace endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries over Nikki Haley.

2024: Re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2024, Nancy Mace was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

April 1, 2025: Misdemeanor charge dropped; Mace withdrew from Congressional Caucus

On April 1, 2025, the United States attorney for the District of Columbia announced he would drop the misdemeanor charge against James McIntyre. Shortly after, Mace quietly withdrew from the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and was replaced by Rep. Erin Houchin.

May 2025: Mace Authors Legislation on Animal Research

In May 2025, Mace authored legislation to require that animals used in federal research laboratories be relocated or put up for adoption rather than killed.