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 member of the Republican Party, she represents a coastal district in South Carolina. Before entering Congress, Mace was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. She is also known for being the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina. Mace has positioned herself as a more moderate voice within the Republican Party at times, expressing independent views on certain issues.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1999: First Woman Graduate from the Citadel's Corps of Cadets Program

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 the Citadel's Corps of Cadets program

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

2001: Authored '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", published by Simon & Schuster, about her experience at The Citadel.

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 University of Georgia's Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

2007: Started working for FITSNews

In 2007, Nancy Mace began working for the website FITSNews, which covers South Carolina politics and current events.

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's presidential campaign

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

August 2013: Announced candidacy for U.S. Senate in South Carolina

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: Received 6.2% of the vote in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate

On June 10, 2014, Nancy Mace received 19,560 votes (6.2% of the vote) in the primary election for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in South Carolina.

2014: Mace Campaigns Against Obamacare

During her 2014 U.S. Senate campaign, Mace expressed strong opposition to Obamacare, advocating for its repeal and defunding.

2016: Supported Donald Trump for president

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

2016: Worked for Donald Trump's presidential campaign

In 2016, Nancy Mace worked for Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

September 18, 2017: Filed for special election for South Carolina State House District 99

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 for South Carolina State House District 99

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

January 23, 2018: Took office in South Carolina State House District 99

On January 23, 2018, Nancy Mace officially took office representing South Carolina State House District 99.

November 6, 2018: Defeated Jen Gibson in general election

On November 6, 2018, Nancy Mace defeated the Democratic nominee, Mount Pleasant resident Jen Gibson, in the general election for South Carolina State House District 99.

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.

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 successfully advocated for the inclusion of exceptions for rape and incest in a bill for a six-week abortion ban that passed the South Carolina state house, revealing 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, ending the shackling of pregnant women in prison.

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 as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

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, arguing that it was too small.

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, along with eight other House Republicans, voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena related to the January 6 Attack. Mace stated her vote was to retain the power to subpoena, foreseeing a potential Republican majority in the House in 2022.

2021: Mace Cosponsors Life at Conception Act

In 2021, Mace cosponsored the Life at Conception Act, aiming to establish a nationwide abortion ban, while also expressing the need for exceptions and moderation on the issue.

2021: Mace Expresses Support for LGBTQ Rights and Equality

In 2021, Mace expressed strong support for LGBTQ rights and equality, opposing discrimination, but also co-sponsoring the Fairness for All Act as an alternative to the Equality Act.

2021: Mace Introduces the States Reform Act

In 2021, Mace introduced the States Reform Act to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and regulate it similarly to alcohol.

2021: Mace Declines to Sign Amicus Brief on Roe v. Wade

In 2021, Mace was among the 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. She is affiliated with the Republican Party.

2021: Voted against the 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.

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 Criticizes Abortion Bans Without Exceptions

In 2022, Mace criticized states enacting abortion bans without exceptions following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, expressing disagreement with the Florida abortion ban.

2022: Mace Votes for Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act

In 2022, Mace voted for H.R. 7691, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022, 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: Re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

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

2022: Nikki Haley Supported Mace in Primary

In 2022, Nikki Haley supported Nancy Mace in the primary.

January 2023: Mace Introduces the Standing with Moms Act

In January 2023, Mace introduced the Standing with Moms Act, proposing a website, life.gov, to link women to crisis pregnancy centers.

February 2023: Introduced the 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 voted against the final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 to raise the debt ceiling.

July 2023: Mace Questions Intelligence Official on UAPs

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

October 2, 2023: House of Representatives 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. It was the last bill passed under Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

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

On October 3, 2023, Nancy Mace voted in favor of removing Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker of the House, citing unfulfilled promises regarding legislation and describing him as a "loser" afterwards.

October 2023: Mace Leads Opposition to EATS Act

In October 2023, Mace led a letter opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2023 farm bill, citing concerns about states' rights and foreign influence.

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 in Favor of Removing US 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.

March 2024: Mace Joins Letter Opposing EATS Act

In March 2024, Mace joined a House Republican letter expressing opposition to the EATS Act, citing concerns about national security and foreign influence over the U.S. agricultural sector.

April 2024: Introduced the Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act (PAAW Act)

In April 2024, Nancy Mace introduced the Preventing Animal Abuse and Waste Act (PAAW Act), aiming to prevent NIH research that causes significant pain and distress to dogs and cats.

November 2024: Mace Criticizes Pentagon's AARO on UAP Transparency

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.

November 18, 2024: Mace Introduces Resolution on Single-Sex Facilities

On November 18, 2024, Mace introduced a resolution to prohibit members of the House of Representatives from using single-sex facilities that don't correspond to their biological sex, targeting transgender women.

2024: Mace Shifts Stance on LGBTQ Rights

Around and after the 2024 presidential election campaign, Mace shifted to a significantly more hostile position on LGBTQ rights, after initially supporting them.

2024: Endorsed Trump in Republican primaries

In 2024, Nancy Mace endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries over Nikki Haley, who had supported Mace in the 2022 primary.

2024: Endorsed Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary

In 2024, Nancy Mace endorsed Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary.

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

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

February 2025: Mace Uses Slur Against Trans People

At a House Oversight Committee hearing in February 2025, Mace used a slur to refer to trans people and repeated the word when confronted.

March 2025: Mace Criticizes Elissa Slotkin for Reading from Children's Book About LGBT Tolerance

In March 2025, Mace criticized US Senator Elissa Slotkin for reading aloud from a children's book about LGBT tolerance, using the term 'groomers'.

May 2025: Mace Accuses Fatima Goss Graves of Sexual Grooming

At a DOGE subcommittee hearing in May 2025, Mace accused Fatima Goss Graves, CEO of the National Women's Law Center, of sexual grooming.

2025: Mace Supports Trump's Proposal to Send U.S. Troops to Gaza

In 2025, Mace supported President Trump's proposal to send U.S. troops to take control of Gaza and remove the Gazans from the territory.

2025: Mace Criticizes LGBTQ Themes in Schools and Libraries

Starting in 2025, Mace began making more statements critical of gays and lesbians in public life, calling for books with LGBTQ themes to be banned from schools and libraries.