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 currently serving as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she has become known for her independent streak and willingness to sometimes break with party orthodoxy. Prior to her congressional service, Mace was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. She also has a background in business, having started her own consulting firm. Mace is the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

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

In 2001, Nancy Mace wrote and published the book "In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel" (Simon & Schuster), detailing her experiences at the military college.

In the Company of Men: A Woman at the Citadel

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2007: Began working for FITSNews

In 2007, Nancy Mace began working for the website FITSNews, a site covering South Carolina politics and current events, later becoming a co-owner.

2008: Started The Mace Group

In 2008, Nancy Mace started a public relations and consulting firm called The Mace Group, marking the beginning of her entrepreneurial career.

2012: Volunteered for Ron Paul's campaign

In 2012, Nancy Mace volunteered for the campaign of presidential candidate Ron Paul, contributing to his political efforts.

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 FITSNews, a website covering South Carolina politics and current events, ending her involvement with the site.

June 10, 2014: Primary Election for U.S. Senate

On June 10, 2014, Nancy Mace participated in the primary election for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, receiving 6.2% of the vote.

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 Trump's Presidential Campaign

In 2016, Nancy Mace worked for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, contributing to his efforts to win the election.

September 18, 2017: Filed for 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

On January 23, 2018, Nancy Mace officially took office as the representative for South Carolina State House District 99.

November 6, 2018: Defeated Jen Gibson in general election

On November 6, 2018, Nancy Mace defeated Democratic nominee 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 areas including Hanahan, northeast Mount Pleasant, and Daniel Island, marking the beginning of her career as a state representative.

2018: Cunningham won the congressional seat

In 2018, Joe Cunningham won South Carolina's 1st congressional district in a surprise victory, a district Trump had previously carried, influencing Nancy Mace's decision to run in 2019.

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, aiming to replace Democrat Joe Cunningham.

2019: Advocated for rape and incest exceptions in abortion 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, also revealing she was raped at 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: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2020, Nancy Mace was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, making history as 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 after defeating Joe Cunningham in the November general election.

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, despite not voting to impeach him.

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

On May 18, 2021, Nancy Mace, along with 61 other House Republicans, voted against the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, expressing concern that it did not adequately address discrimination against Asian-Americans in higher education.

November 2021: Criticized Lauren Boebert's anti-Muslim comments

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

2021: Became U.S. Representative

In 2021, Nancy Mace became the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district, marking a significant milestone in her political career.

2021: Pleaded with Trump to condemn Capitol attack

In 2021, after the United States Capitol attack, Nancy Mace pleaded with then-President Trump to condemn it, even stating, "I'm begging the president to get off Twitter." She ultimately voted against impeaching Trump due to due process concerns.

2022: Defeated Katie Arrington in Republican Primary

In 2022, Nancy Mace defeated Katie Arrington in the Republican primary for her congressional seat, despite Arrington being endorsed by Trump.

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

In 2022, Nancy Mace was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, continuing her representation of South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

2022: Received support from Nikki Haley

In 2022, Nikki Haley supported Nancy Mace in the primary, preceding Mace's endorsement of Trump over Haley in 2024.

February 2023: Introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act

In February 2023, Nancy Mace co-introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act, aimed at sharing federal offshore wind power revenue with states for coastal protection and restoration work.

July 2023: Mace Questions Official on UAPs in Congressional Hearing

In July 2023, as Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, Mace questioned David Grusch about recovered nonhuman craft and biological remains during a hearing on UAPs (UFOs).

October 2, 2023: The 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, and was introduced by Mace.

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 his failure to advance her legislative priorities, including measures related to rape-kit backlogs and birth control access.

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

During a January 2024 hearing, Nancy Mace referred to Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, as "the epitome of White privilege," sparking controversy.

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) aimed at preventing the National Institute of Health (NIH) from conducting or supporting any research that causes significant pain and distress to dogs and cats.

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

In November 2024, Mace criticized the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) for its lack of transparency regarding government activities concerning UAPs during a hearing.

2024: Endorsed Trump for President

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