Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who is running for governor of South Carolina, told a GOP primary opponent to drop out of the race on Tuesday as voters across the state head to the polls.
Mace called Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette a disgrace to “women everywhere” and to South Carolina, citing an incident between two rival supporters the day before.
On Monday, a volunteer with Evette’s finance committee allegedly assaulted a Mace supporter, as seen in a video shared by Mace’s campaign. The man, identified as Blake Kirsch, was arrested and charged with assault and third-degree battery in Greer.
In her social media posts on the incident, Mace claimed Kirsch was a campaign staffer for the lieutenant governor. Evette’s campaign disputed the congresswoman’s statement, saying Kirsch was simply a volunteer and not directly connected to the campaign.
“Our team is deeply disappointed that this occurred,” an Evette spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “We support free speech and do not in any way condone violence. He is not, and has never been, employed by the campaign.”
Kirsch is no longer a member of the all-volunteer finance committee. Evette’s campaign confirmed that he voluntarily resigned from the committee following the incident and that he has never been paid by the campaign.
In a brief press conference, Mace claimed her opponent was lying about his involvement with the campaign.
“It is still not clear if he’s being paid by the campaign,” the conservative firebrand said. “Many people on finance committees are 1099 staffers and employees, so I think she’s lying about his involvement with the campaign. They promoted him as one of her staffers throughout the campaign, and she couldn’t even condemn the violence. She said she was disappointed.
“I’m here to condemn her comments. She, quite frankly, should drop out of the race. Her comments, the behavior of her campaign is disqualifying for anybody running for office.”
Mace went on to condemn political violence, alleging Evette is orchestrating violence against her voter base.
“Her campaign is resorting to violence against my supporters,” Mace continued. “That’s what her campaign is all about. That’s what her campaign has devolved into, political violence, and I’m condemning all political violence everywhere.”
In her tirade against political violence, Mace pointed to the assassination attempts against President Donald Trump. Notably, Trump endorsed Evette for governor.
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Evette has consistently led the GOP gubernatorial field in polling leading up to the primary election, especially after her high-profile endorsement late last month. It remains to be seen whether Trump’s support will boost Evette’s votes or if another candidate will surpass her.
Polls in South Carolina close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Voters in line by then are still eligible to vote.