Hundreds of measles cases have been confirmed in South Carolina, surpassing the number of infections from an outbreak in West Texas this past summer.
<p class="paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate" data-uri="cms.cnn.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkwxk87q00043b6s5tm6zaeg@published" data-editable="text" data-component-name="paragraph" data-article-gutter="true">As of Tuesday, 789 cases were reported in South Carolina. So far, 18 people, including children, have been hospitalized for complications from the disease. No deaths have been reported.
<p class="paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate" data-uri="cms.cnn.com/_components/paragraph/instances/cmkwxk87q00043b6s5tm6zaeg@published" data-editable="text" data-component-name="paragraph" data-article-gutter="true">At the height of the Texas outbreak, 762 cases were reported. That outbreak, which was tied to two deaths of school-aged children, was declared <a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/texas-announces-end-west-texas-measles-outbreak?utm_source=chatgpt.com">over</a> back in August.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/health/largest-us-measles-outbreak-south-carolina">supporting</a> South Carolina&#8217;s response to the outbreak by providing $1.4 million in requested aid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is also working closely and regularly with state health officials.
The vast majority of those infected in South Carolina — an estimated 88% — are unvaccinated against measles. In Texas, too, the vast majority of those infected were unvaccinated or had no documented measles vaccination: more than 94%.
The surge in cases in numerous states has sparked outcry from some advocacy groups, who are blaming HHS and its leader, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy.
Protect Our Care, for example, projected “MEASLES HQ&#8221; on the D.C. HHS building on Tuesday, <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5698149-protect-our-care-protests-kennedy/">according</a> to The Hill. Another message said, &#8220;RFK JR: MAKING AMERICA SICK AGAIN.&#8221;
Notably, however, the CDC still recommends children receive the measles vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. The immunization comes in the form of the MMR shot, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
“Under Secretary Kennedy, CDC surged resources, and multiple states declared measles outbreaks over in 2025,&#8221; HHS Press Secretary Emily Hilliard <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5698149-protect-our-care-protests-kennedy/">said</a> in a statement. &#8220;Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles, and the Secretary has been clear and consistent on this point. All vaccines on the CDC schedule, including MMR, remain covered by insurance, so families do not need to pay out of pocket to get vaccinated.&#8221;
&#8220;Additionally, the U.S. continues to fare better than Canada, Mexico, and Europe in overall measles burden,&#8221; she added. &#8220;This is an international problem.&#8221;
The decline in overall vaccination rates predates the Trump administration, and that&#8217;s due to the botched job of public health officials during the COVID pandemic, Hilliard argued.
“Declines in measles vaccination rates and erosion of public trust began well before this Administration,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Public confidence in health institutions was significantly undermined during the COVID era, particularly in states that imposed prolonged mandates and delivered inconsistent messaging. Those effects continue to be felt today.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rfk-jr-orders-major-overhaul-of-childhood-vaccine-schedule-heres-what-to-know?author=Amanda+Prestigiacomo&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=RFK+Jr.+Orders+Major+Overhaul+Of+Childhood+Vaccine+Schedule">RFK Jr. Orders Major Overhaul Of Childhood Vaccine Schedule</a>

One Death Reported As Texas Measles Outbreak Spreads

Health And Human Services Responds As Hundreds Of Measles Cases Confirmed In South Carolina

Disease

Health

Measles

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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At least 14 states have declared a state of emergency as they brace for snow, record cold, and potentially crippling ice from a winter storm that will stretch from New Mexico to Maine.
Around 172 million people are in the storm&#8217;s path this weekend, with the ice being the biggest threat. Up to an inch of ice is possible in some spots in the Southeast, which is enough to down trees and power lines, potentially knocking out power for days. Some cities, such as New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., could see up to a foot or more of snow, while Minneapolis and Chicago face extreme cold. A polar vortex is expected to bring in frigid Arctic air to around 35 states following the major storm.
States that have declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also preparing to respond to the storm, setting up staging areas in multiple locations, ABC News <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/winter-storm-live-updates-tracking-dangerous-ice-snow/?id=129469173">reported</a>. In Louisiana, FEMA is preparing 250,000 meals, 400,000 liters of water, and 30 generators at Camp Minden near Shreveport.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders <a href="https://x.com/arkansasguard/status/2014734071088206232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2014734071088206232%7Ctwgr%5E8379399732f31524804ffc98aa29501a8f40a1f5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fiframe.nbcnews.com%2FvDYMbArB%3F_showcaption%3Dfalseapp%3D1">ordered</a> 168 National Guard troops to active duty on Friday to support state police &#8220;until weather conditions improve.&#8221;
&#8220;Winter weather is headed our way as early as this evening. Stock up on essentials now, stay inside, and follow local and state guidance,&#8221; Sanders said on Friday morning.
In the South, where ice remains the biggest risk, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency <a href="https://x.com/TennesseeEMA/status/2014660446154821724">urged</a> residents to finalize their plans &#8220;and get home or to a safe place&#8221; by Friday night. In Texas, officials have warned residents to prepare for a &#8220;long-duration freeze&#8221; that will likely affect the state Saturday night through Monday night. Public buses and light rail trains will be completely shut down on Saturday afternoon in Austin, where the city&#8217;s mayor urged residents to stay indoors.
&#8220;Travel will become difficult, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roadways,&#8221; <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/winter-weather/live-blog/winter-storm-snow-ice-weather-cold-live-updates-rcna255524/rcrd97174?canonicalCard=true">said</a> National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Runyon.
The storm will <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/winter-weather/live-blog/winter-storm-snow-ice-weather-cold-live-updates-rcna255524/rcrd97153?canonicalCard=true">move</a> across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas on Friday night before ice and snow are expected to reach the Carolinas and Virginia by Saturday and into Sunday. The National Weather Service warned that heavy snow can also &#8220;bring multi-day Power Outages, block emergency routes, and cause Communication Loss from downed lines.&#8221; Cold temperatures are expected to persist throughout the first half of next week, potentially prolonging power outages and travel difficulties in many states that are ill-equipped to clear roads.

Winter Storm

Over A Dozen States Declare Emergencies As Americans Brace For Massive Winter Storm

Over A Dozen States Declare Emergencies As Americans Brace For Massive Winter Storm, Frigid Temps

Arkansas

New York

North Carolina

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Nearly 250 years ago, hundreds of Patriot soldiers were killed or wounded fighting in the pine woods of Camden, South Carolina, in one of the worst defeats for the colonists during the Revolutionary War. Today, one organization is working to identify the remains of those who fell fighting for liberty and share their stories with the country. 
Using DNA sequencing, the <a href="https://www.historiccamden.org">Historic Camden Foundation</a> is working to identify the remains of 12 of the Patriot soldiers killed during the August 16, 1780, battle. The remains of the 12 were recently discovered during archeological excavations at the battlefield. In 2023, they <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/12-patriot-soldiers-given-proper-funeral-243-years-after-revolutionary-battle-of-camden-boys-only-in-age">were given</a> a proper funeral and military honors, but not before DNA samples were saved from teeth and a bone at the back of the skull. 
So far, the Historic Camden Foundation has secured funds for DNA sequencing of two of the fallen Patriots. Stacey Ferguson, the deputy director of the organization, told The Daily Wire that they plan to continue their work until they have sequenced all of the DNA and narrowed down the details of the soldiers. 
“This is an ongoing project. We had the funds available to run those first two soldiers, but we have every intention of continuing on the work with the other soldiers,” she said. “We may or may not get to a point where we can actually put an exact name on the remains, but it’s very possible. We&#8217;ve really narrowed it way down.”
Figuring out who the soldiers were is “the oldest John Doe case in the country that we know of based on what&#8217;s in public record,” Ferguson said. 
One of the soldiers they have determined is a teenage male between the ages of 14 and 18 from Maryland. He was buried alongside other soldiers in a mass grave at Camden and is believed to have been from Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
The other soldier is an adult male over the age of 20 from the Jamestown, Virginia area. Researchers believe he was related to the original Jamestown settlers and even shares some DNA with Pocahontas. He was likely an artilleryman based on where he fell in the battle. 
The two heroes could have over 20,000 living relatives, according to Ferguson. Matching them to an exact name is a more difficult task because muster rolls from that time often were not the most accurate. 
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The battle of Camden was a disaster for the Americans, as the Patriot forces under Major General Horatio Gates clashed with British and Loyalist forces under General Charles Lord Cornwallis. An undisciplined American army had 1,900 casualties to the British’s 324. 
However, the battle did pave the way for the more competent Rhode Islander Nathanael Greene, who would go on to earn the moniker “the savior of the South.” Greene orchestrated the great patriot victory at Cowpens soon after the disaster at Camden, which followed on the heels of a great patriot victory at King’s Mountain.
Ferguson said she hopes their work to remember the fallen of Camden will help Americans identify more with their past. 
“It feels like ancient history to most Americans,” she said. “These soldiers that fought and died for their freedom, but being able to say, ‘you are related to this soldier, who fought and died at the battle of Camden,’ really makes that story personal for a lot of people.”

Battle Of Camden

‘Oldest John Doe Case In The Country’: Inside The Effort To Identify Revolutionary War Heroes

Revolutionary War

Soldiers

Republican Governor Henry McMaster moved to end race-based government contracting in South Carolina and called for lawmakers to take action to codify his executive actions. 
McMaster signed an <a href="https://governor.sc.gov/sites/governor/files/Documents/Executive-Orders/2025-12-03%20FILED%20Executive%20Order%202025-40%20-%20Prohibiting%20Race-Based%20Discrimination%20in%20Government%20Contracting.pdf">executive order</a> on Wednesday calling for state agencies to stop awarding contracts based on race. Under current state law, each state agency is required to propose a budget that awards 10% of spending to minority-owned businesses. 
“Today, I have ordered state agencies to halt all future spending, procurement or contract decisions that are based on race. The state laws requiring these quotas and racial set-asides are unconstitutional and discriminatory. Business with state government should be awarded based on merit and value to the taxpayer,” McMaster <a href="https://x.com/henrymcmaster/status/1996273026841682158">wrote</a> on X. “Senate President Alexander and House Speaker Smith have agreed to lead the effort to repeal these laws when the General Assembly returns next month.”
South Carolina’s Department of Transportation is also required to hand out a minimum of 5% of its awards for certain contracts to minority-owned businesses. 
In his executive order, McMaster said that the state laws mandating race-based contracting “call for unlawful racial discrimination” and that they are policies that “rest on the false assumption that the solution to perceived historical wrongs is to racially discriminate against individuals in the present.” 
McMaster also said that the policies may violate President Donald Trump’s executive actions taking aim at diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. 
50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at <a href="http://dailywire.com/cyberweek" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DailyWire.com/cyberweek</a>.
South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander and House Speaker Murrell Smith, both Republicans, said they would move in January to codify the governor’s actions. 
“We are a nation and a state dedicated to the principle that ‘all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator,’ as reflected in the Constitution’s requirement of equal protection of the laws,” Alexander said. “When existing laws no longer align with that constitutional command, it is our duty to correct them. I am confident my colleagues in the Senate share my belief that state government must reflect equality under the law in all its endeavors and ensure our statutes fully comply with the Constitution.”
South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman <a href="https://x.com/RalphNorman/status/1996286119034454330">praised</a> McMaster’s action and called for the state legislature to pass a “full DEI ban.”
Amid Trump’s war on DEI at the federal level, some lawmakers have turned to the state level to challenge programs that favor minority businesses. In October, Texas <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/unless-youre-white-you-qualify-texas-suspends-business-program-that-excludes-white-males">suspended</a> a statewide program that prioritized non-white male businesses in state contracting. 
This was done through the Historically Underutilized Businesses, which received about 11% of state spending total. The total awards given to the businesses are over $4 billion, including $1.45 billion for women-owned businesses and $1.6 billion for Hispanic-owned businesses.

US-NEWS-SC-WILDFIRES-EMERGENCY-CS

Red State Governor Ends Race-Based Contracting, Calls For Lawmakers To Make Move Permanent

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Racial Discrimination

Republicans

Authorities are searching for a gunman who opened fire at a crowded South Carolina bar early Sunday morning, killing four people and wounding 20 others.
Hundreds of people gathered at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island for a high school reunion party Saturday night into Sunday morning when gunfire erupted, forcing the crowd to run to nearby businesses to find cover. Beaufort County Sheriff&#8217;s deputies arrived on the scene around 1:00 a.m. and found that numerous people had been shot, according to ABC&#8217;s Charleston affiliate, <a href="https://abcnews4.com/news/local/20-injured-4-killed-in-early-morning-shooting-at-beaufort-county-bar-wciv-abc-news-4-charleston-sc-south-carolina-beaufort-county-sheriffs-office">WCIV</a>.
Four people were declared dead, while the other victims were transported to the hospital. Four of the 20 people who were wounded in the shooting were in critical condition. It appears that the shooting took place outside the bar, where there was a party for alumni of Battery Creek High School.
St. Helena Island is 50 miles north of Savannah, Georgia.
The mass shooting remains under investigation. The Beaufort County Sheriff&#8217;s Office <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortCountySheriffsOfficeSC/">said</a> it is &#8220;investigating persons of interest,&#8221; but has not released any information about them as of Monday morning. The sheriff&#8217;s office is also waiting to notify the families of victims before it releases any information on their identities.
&#8220;This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone. We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones,&#8221; the sheriff&#8217;s office said.
The sheriff&#8217;s office also said that the public can <a href="https://tipsbft.com/sitemenu.aspx?ID=1017&amp;">submit anonymous tips</a> if anyone has information regarding the shooting.
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Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, whose district includes St. Helena Island, <a href="https://x.com/RepNancyMace/status/1977370951953068193">said</a> that she was &#8220;completely heartbroken.&#8221;
&#8220;Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence,&#8221; Mace added. &#8220;If you have any information, please contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at 843-255-3418, as soon as humanly possible.&#8221;
The deadly shooting in South Carolina came just weeks after three people were killed and five were wounded in a &#8220;highly premeditated&#8221; <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/3-dead-8-injured-person-shot-boat-north-carolina-waterfront-bar-rcna234168">shooting</a> at a North Carolina waterfront bar. The gunman in the North Carolina bar attack fired upon victims from his boat before speeding off. Authorities arrested a 40-year-old Marine veteran and charged him with three counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder, among other crimes.

Shooting At South Carolina Bar Leaves At Least 4 Dead, 20 Injured

Gunman Kills 4, Wounds 20 At South Carolina Bar

Crime

Death

Mass Shooting

Police

MixCollage-30-Sep-2025-02-09-PM-257

Everyone Needs To See This Viral Testimony From This Grieving Father

Democrats

Fathers

Matt Walsh

Murder

Opinion

Prison

Violent Crime

Few things are more important than the education of our young people. 
That’s why, when the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released the <a href="https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/">Nation’s Report Card</a> earlier this week, I became concerned. Average scores among 8th and 12th grade students were lower across all three primary assessments — science, math, and reading. For example, only 22% of 12th graders were proficient at their level of mathematics and 35% were proficient at their level of reading.
Scores like these should remind all of us just how important a high-quality education is for every student. While these scores are discouraging, I believe when parents and students are given a choice in education and the right leadership is in place, we will see test scores like these go up, not down. 
Most students spend more awake time in school than at home during the week and thousands of families are counting on their state officials to deliver for their children. That’s why I’m running for governor of South Carolina, to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education – whether that’s their local traditional public school, a high-performing public charter school, or a high-quality private school. I am confident that there are thousands of outstanding teachers across South Carolina, but there are also gaps in excellence in far too many places.
I’ve spent my career in business and understand that competition makes everyone better. When traditional public schools are competing against private and public charter schools, it drives innovation, efficiency, and a desire for excellence. This free-market principle is what creates great organizations that serve people well, and it’s the same principle that will improve education for South Carolina students.
Status quo politicians and special interests have tried to pit education freedom against great public schools. I fundamentally reject this flawed argument. I attended public school and many of my grandchildren currently attend public school – and I strongly support education freedom. South Carolina parents deserve the opportunity to choose what’s best for their child.
Fortunately, South Carolina has made significant strides in improving student-centered education over the past few years, but we have room to grow. As governor, my mission will be to improve public education, increase education freedom, and ensure high school graduates are ready for a job or college.
We know what moves the needle in public education – great teachers in classrooms and great principals leading schools. The research is overwhelming: the quality of teachers and principals are two of the top in-school factors for student success. I firmly believe that leaders should make data-informed decisions, and that’s why, based on this research, we should be rewarding our top-performing teachers and principals across the state.
I want South Carolina to become the top destination in the country for the best and brightest teachers and principals. We should create a merit pay structure statewide that offers bonuses to educators who are top performers – and we should offer an extra incentive to educators who are willing to bring their high-quality instruction to low performing schools. Infusing the principles of the free market into public education will improve outcomes for students.
Concurrent with statewide merit pay, South Carolina must expand education freedom for all families in the state. Education freedom is about ensuring parents are empowered to exercise their God-given right to choose what’s best for their children. As governor, I will work every day to expand education freedom until every family has the opportunity to choose the best education for their child.
Finally, as governor, I am committed to dramatically expanding career and technical education in South Carolina. For too long, schools and businesses have been ships passing in the night. Schools enroll students in career and technical education without actually talking to businesses about what skills are needed in the workforce. I’ve spent most of my life in the private sector and I know what it takes to bring business leaders into the conversation and ensure our students are being prepared with the skills needed for family-sustaining jobs. When schools and businesses are working together for student success, the entire state wins.
Few things are more important than education. As governor, I will focus every day on leading with students at the center of the conversation. Education funding is a core function of government and it should be treated as a treasure to invest in our next generation’s education.
* * *
Ralph Norman was born and raised in South Carolina. After a successful career as a small business owner in real estate development, he entered into public service, first as a South Carolina State Representative, then as a U.S. Congressman in 2017. He’s now running to be the next Governor of South Carolina. 
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Open Book On Wooden Desk With Blurred Empty Classroom Background.

When Test Scores Drop, It’s Time For Real Education Reform

Charter Schools

Education

Parental Rights in Education

Public Schools

School Choice

Students

Teachers

A South Carolina Democrat is facing calls to withdraw from the governor’s race after a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY5fKGke_W8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> surfaced showing him screaming obscenities at police officers during a narcotics episode.
Dashcam footage shows William McLeod swearing and yelling at officers for nearly 20 minutes in the back of the cop car, calling himself “god” and “superman,” and using the n-word twice.
The video circulated online after it was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, according to the <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/08/14/us-news/wild-video-shows-dems-pick-for-sc-gov-race-being-arrested-in-his-underwear-while-calling-himself-god-and-superman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a>.
McLeod is currently the only Democratic runner for the 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial race. The prominent Charleston lawyer ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2010 and has served two terms as the Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman.
His party has requested that he withdraw from the race.
“After reviewing the transcript of the dash cam footage from his recent arrest, it is clear that Mr. McLeod is navigating profound challenges and should focus on his mental and emotional well-being instead of a campaign for governor,” the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party, Christale Spain, said in a statement Wednesday.
“We offer him compassion and pray he finds the support he needs.”
But McLeod has shown no intent of backing down. His campaign team labeled the arrest “unlawful.” McLeod himself has touted the incident as a reason why he should be elected.
“When they learn what happened around my unlawful arrest, it will be a reason why I absolutely need to be our state’s governor,” he said.
He did not elaborate as to why.
McLeod was arrested on May 15 after he was found “yelling at the top of his lungs” while walking near the Battery in Charleston in only his underwear and shoes.
McLeod’s eyes were “extremely bloodshot and highly dilated … typical of an individual under the influence of a stimulant narcotic,” a preliminary incident <a href="https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/south-carolina-democratic-party-calls-for-mullins-mcleod-to-exit-governors-race-following-release-of-arrest-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> obtained by WCBD said.
When an officer asked for his name, McLeod replied, “It doesn’t matter, my friend, trust me. I’m one of the most just humans to ever walk this soil.”
“Superman works,” he added.
He also launched a tirade against one of his Republican opponents, Alan Wilson, the current Attorney General of South Carolina. “I will kick your teeth in … I’m going to kick every one of them in. If I do kick them in, you don’t know any dentist.”
He also seemingly threatened to kidnap Wilson’s German Shepherd: “When I’m governor, Snoop is coming with me,” he said.
It is unclear where the name Snoop came from. Wilson has a German Shepherd named <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AGAlanWilson/photos/a.512888925463554/2003104073108691/?type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lucy</a>.
McLeod refused to get out of the car when they arrived at the police station, saying he would sleep in the backseat. “No, I’m not doing it, no. I’m not getting out of this car. It’s time to go to bed.” He was forcibly removed and booked into jail around 1 a.m.
He currently faces misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct.
He claimed that he had been exercising his “God-given, constitutional right to be in a public place” when he was arrested.
“The only thing I’d ask the voters is to please give me a little bit of grace and know that long before we go to Election Day, they’ll know exactly what happened,” he <a href="https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/south-carolina-mullins-mcleod-governor-2026/article_2cd1ea51-360d-4153-9497-e3428c7c37f3.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the Post and Courier</a>.
Wilson <a href="https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/south-carolina-democratic-party-calls-for-mullins-mcleod-to-exit-governors-race-following-release-of-arrest-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> to McLeod’s threats in a statement on Wednesday, saying, “I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he means in a general election, not a street fight,” Wilson said.
He preferred to focus on his campaign rather than on McLeod’s remarks: “My plan for bold, conservative leadership is spreading, and my record of defending President Trump, parental rights, and the rule of law has put a target on my back. But we’re not slowing down, and I’m not done fighting for South Carolina families.”

South Carolina Democrat Says Video Of Narcotic-Induced Tirade Shows Why He Should Be Governor

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Firebrand Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace launched her bid for South Carolina governor on Monday, joining what&#8217;s quickly becoming a crowded field in the Palmetto State.
Mace joins Rep. Ralph Norman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, and state senator Josh Kimbrell in the 2026 Republican primary. The congresswoman addressed her supporters at an early morning rally at her alma mater, The Citadel military college, where she announced her run for governor.
&#8220;I&#8217;m running for governor because South Carolina doesn&#8217;t need another empty suit. It needs a governor who will fight for you and your values,&#8221; Mace <a href="https://x.com/NancyMace/status/1952330227755172211">said</a>. &#8220;South Carolina needs a governor who will drag the truth into sunlight and flip the tables if that&#8217;s what it takes.&#8221;
&#8220;I&#8217;ve walked into firestorms, and I&#8217;ve come out swinging,&#8221; she added.
Incumbent South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, who has served since 2017,  will be term-limited from running again in the November 2026 election.
In a video Mace posted on X Monday morning, the Republican emphasized how she has drawn the ire of both Democrats and Republicans and showed clips of President Donald Trump praising her in the past.
&#8220;When she sets her sight on something, she&#8217;s tough,&#8221; Trump said of Mace.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I’m running to be the Governor of South Carolina!
God’s not done with South Carolina and neither am I. You and me. Our mission begins now.
South Carolina First. Nancy Mace for Governor.<a href="https://t.co/tkO1oN5G0W">https://t.co/tkO1oN5G0W</a> <a href="https://t.co/odvxAKfz5b">pic.twitter.com/odvxAKfz5b</a>
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) <a href="https://twitter.com/NancyMace/status/1952331263710203935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The relationship between the 47-year-old congresswoman and Trump, however, has been rocky. In 2022, Trump <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3523340-mace-defeats-trump-backed-primary-challenger-in-south-carolina/">endorsed</a> Mace&#8217;s primary opponent, Katie Arrington, after Mace <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/07/politics/trump-hill-republicans-move-on/index.html">said</a> that Trump&#8217;s &#8220;entire legacy was wiped out&#8221; following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Mace came out on top in the 2022 primary and secured a second term in the House. She won again in 2024 and is currently serving her third term.
Mace has focused much of her attention on fighting to keep trans-identifying men out of women&#8217;s bathrooms. She recently got in a fight over women&#8217;s bathrooms with Delaware Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride, a man who identifies as a woman. Shortly after McBride was elected, Mace introduced a resolution banning men from women&#8217;s facilities in Congress. McBride <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trans-identifying-congressman-agrees-not-to-use-female-bathrooms-after-johnson-brings-the-hammer-down?author=Mary+Margaret+Olohan&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trans-Identifying+Congressman+Agrees+Not+To+Use+Female+Bathrooms+After+Johnson+Brings+The+Hammer+Down">agreed</a> not to use women&#8217;s bathrooms on Capitol Hill after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) issued a mandate, saying, &#8220;Women deserve women’s only spaces.&#8221;
Mace is well-known on Capitol Hill for her self-assertive nature and her knack for diving into the middle of controversy.
Earlier this year, Mace made headlines when she shared what she called a &#8220;naked silhouette&#8221; of herself during a House subcommittee hearing. Mace shared the photo while addressing the subject of “Breach of Trust: Surveillance in Private Spaces.” She alleged that the image was captured without her consent, accusing four men of sexual abuse. The men, one of whom is her ex-fiance, have denied any wrongdoing.
“I would run through a brick wall to protect women and girls in South Carolina and to other potential victims, I want you to know I have your back,&#8221; Mace said during the hearing.

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Nancy Mace Launches Campaign For South Carolina Governor

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The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that South Carolina is allowed to ban Medicaid funds from going to Planned Parenthood.
Justices voted 6-3 to reverse the Fourth Circuit&#8217;s ruling that an individual Medicaid user could bring a federal civil rights lawsuit over Planned Parenthood being excluded from Medicaid in South Carolina.
Justice Neil Gorsuch authored the court&#8217;s <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-1275_e2pg.pdf">opinion</a>, saying that Medicaid law does not clearly give patients the right to sue. He noted that states have the authority to decide which health care providers are &#8220;qualified&#8221; and can participate in Medicaid — for example, doctors who have committed felonies may be excluded. Planned Parenthood can challenge its exclusion from Medicaid through South Carolina&#8217;s administrative process, Gorsuch said.
The decision paves the way for other Republican-led states who may want to exclude Planned Parenthood from their Medicaid programs.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson penned a dissent that was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
&#8220;At a minimum, it will deprive Medicaid recipients in South Carolina of their only meaningful way of enforcing a right that Congress has expressly granted to them,&#8221; she wrote.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, a Republican, previously argued that &#8220;taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize abortion providers who are in direct opposition to their beliefs.&#8221;
&#8220;Seven years ago, we took a stand to protect the sanctity of life and defend South Carolina&#8217;s authority and values – and today, we are finally victorious,&#8221; McMaster said Thursday in a statement after the ruling.
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The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed our right to exclude abortion providers from receiving taxpayer dollars. Seven years ago, we took a stand to protect the sanctity of life and defend South Carolina&#39;s authority and values – and today, we are finally victorious. My statement: <a href="https://t.co/N9fkoPpQ9v">pic.twitter.com/N9fkoPpQ9v</a>
&mdash; Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) <a href="https://twitter.com/henrymcmaster/status/1938246255378854273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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South Carolina cited its own state law prohibiting the use of taxpayer dollars for abortion. Federal law also prohibits Medicaid funds from paying for most but not all abortions — the funds are permitted in the cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger.
Planned Parenthood has two clinics in South Carolina, one in Charleston and one in Columbia.
The court&#8217;s decision is yet another loss for the pro-abortion lobby, which saw Roe vs. Wade overturned three years ago this week, nixing the supposed constitutional right to abortion.
Prolife leaders celebrated Thursday&#8217;s ruling.
“Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer-funded gravy train is swiftly coming to an end,&#8221; SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser said.
&#8220;Its days of posing as a ‘trusted health care provider’ are over as the truth is exposed — most recently, by revelations of botched procedures, open sewage and other horrifying conditions at their facilities across America and the tragic death of yet another young woman following a late-term abortion,&#8221; she said.
Dannenfelser added that Planned Parenthood is more interested in &#8220;funneling millions into political activism and litigation.&#8221;
Meanwhile, Democrats were incensed.
&#8220;Make no mistake — Senate Republicans own the consequences of this loathsome MAGA Supreme Court decision. They packed our courts with extremists and they’re the chief architects of the dismal state of women’s health care in America,&#8221; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer <a href="https://x.com/SenSchumer/status/1938246865352286407">said</a> in a statement posted to X.

Reproductive Rights Advocates Rally As Supreme Court Hears Planned Parenthood Case

Supreme Court Says States Can Cut Off Medicaid Funds For Planned Parenthood

Supreme Court Rules South Carolina Can Ban Medicaid Funds For Planned Parenthood

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The South Carolina Supreme Court rejected an effort from Planned Parenthood to water down the state&#8217;s pro-life heartbeat law, ruling on Wednesday that the state could enforce its protections for unborn babies at around six weeks of development.
In its decision, the court ruled against Planned Parenthood&#8217;s claim that the law could only protect babies at around nine weeks of development, claiming that was when a baby&#8217;s heartbeat can first be detected. The court said that the legislature had intended to protect unborn babies at around six weeks, when heart activity can first be detected, ruling against the abortion giant.
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&#8220;While we do not frame our holding today in the shorthand terms of a number of weeks, the biologically identifiable moment in time we hold is the &#8216;fetal heartbeat&#8217; under the 2023 Act occurs in most instances at approximately six weeks of pregnancy,&#8221; the majority <a href="https://www.sccourts.org/media/opinions/HTMLFiles/SC/28280.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.
The question the justices were addressing was: &#8220;at what point in a woman&#8217;s pregnancy does a &#8216;fetal heartbeat&#8217; occur&#8221; as defined by South Carolina&#8217;s 2023 Fetal Heartbeat and Protection From Abortion Act. The court defined this as when a &#8220;medical professional may objectively determine to have occurred by the existence of the &#8216;cardiac activity&#8217; of electrical impulses detectable as a &#8216;sound&#8217; with diagnostic medical technology such as a transvaginal ultrasound device.&#8221;
Top South Carolina officials celebrated the decision.
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&#8220;Time and time again, we have defended the right to life in South Carolina, and time and time again, we have prevailed,&#8221; said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. &#8220;Today&#8217;s ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life.&#8221;
“This ruling is a resounding win for the rule of law and protecting the unborn in South Carolina,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “Today’s decision reaffirms that our elected legislators, not out-of-state interest groups, hold the power to shape South Carolina’s policies in accordance with the values of its people.”
The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America organization also praised the decision from the court.
“Planned Parenthood has failed in attempting to rewrite the science of human development to further their agenda for more abortions and more profit,&#8221; said SBA Pro-Life America Political Director Caitlin Connors. &#8220;The level of science denial from this abortion giant that receives $800 million in taxpayer funding annually should astound South Carolinians who overwhelmingly re-elected Gov. Henry McMaster and state Republicans after they enacted the heartbeat law.&#8221;

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Red State Supreme Court Rejects Planned Parenthood’s Attempts To ‘Rewrite The Science’ On Abortion

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in a case that will determine whether South Carolina can pull the plug on state-administered Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. 
The case centers around a woman who sued the state Department of Health after it said she couldn’t use money from the state’s Medicaid program at Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. Arguments focused on whether Medicaid recipients can sue the state over the policy and if South Carolina has the authority to make guidelines about where the money can be used. 
John Bursch, a lawyer with Alliance Defending Freedom representing South Carolina, and the Trump administration argued that the state had no legal obligation to designate funds for abortion providers. 
“Disqualifying abortion providers like [Planned Parenthood] ensures that women receive comprehensive medical care,” Bursch <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-1275/341725/20250203121003568_23-1275%20Brief%20for%20the%20Petitioner.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> in a legal brief to the court. “It also ensures that South Carolina’s Medicaid funding goes toward improving ‘access to necessary medical care and important women’s health and family planning services’ for all women—rather than improving Planned Parenthood’s ability to free up funding to pay for abortions.”
Bursch and the Justice Department argued that the Medicaid Act does not create a right for a recipient to choose a provider. 
Nicole Saharsky, a lawyer for Planned Parenthood, argued that the state has an obligation to allocate Medicaid funding to the health care provider of the recipient&#8217;s choosing. 
“As this case comes to the court it is established that South Carolina violated the statute by denying Julie Edwards of her choice of a qualified and willing provider,” she said. “The only question is whether she can do something about it.” 
Several of the justices, including Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, appeared skeptical of several of Saharsky’s claims. 
Bursch argued that South Carolina&#8217;s two Planned Parenthood affiliates offer little of what actually constitutes health care and were rightly excluded from the program. 
“While both entities claim to offer a range of healthcare services, they mainly offer abortions, contraception, STD testing, other screenings, and experimental puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to those who identify as transgender, including minors,” he wrote in a filing to the court. 
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, who directed the state to stop sending Medicaid dollars toward Planned Parenthood, was at the Supreme Court for the hearing. 
“I&#8217;m in Washington this morning as we defend South Carolina&#8217;s right to exclude Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers from our Medicaid program,” he <a href="https://x.com/henrymcmaster/status/1907417543293444520" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on X. 
There are <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-rep-biggs-calls-on-doge-to-probe-planned-parenthood-ceos-exorbitant-salaries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">currently efforts</a> underway to slash federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which ended the lives of around 392,715 unborn children from 2022 to 2023, according to its most recent annual reports. During that same period, Planned Parenthood received nearly $700 million in federal funding.

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