Last Updated on January 23, 2023
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) blamed the overturning of Roe v. Wade for the Republican party’s lackluster midterm showing during a recent appearance on Meet the Press. “It’s the reason we didn’t get more of a majority. We could have had a two dozen seat majority, but we don’t. This was an issue top of mind for swing voters,” Mace told NBC’s Chuck Todd.
The South Carolina Republican went on to claim that the issue will continue to hurt the GOP in 2024. “When you’re looking ahead to ’24, going to the extremes and digging in there isn’t going to work for most people,” Mace said.
She went on to state that both sides of the aisle are responsible for division and gridlock on numerous issues beyond abortion. “When I look at every issue, not just on Roe v Wade, but every issue, we’re so divided,” she told Todd. “I sometimes joke that [Joe Manchin] is the most popular Republican in the Senate right now, but to hear him talk about these issues in a very refreshing, balanced way, is the way both sides of the aisle need to approach every issue.”
Mace added that she is still “pro-life” but also “willing to sit and talk about how do we balance the rights for women and the right to life.”
“Both sides are afraid of their primaries. That’s not the way we should be operating, but the vast majority vote out of legislative fear,” she went on to say,
Mace herself faced a stiff primary challenge after breaking with her base on numerous issues. Most notably, the South Carolina lawmaker voted to establish a Congressional committee to investigate the January 6 Capitol protests.
Mace pushed back on accusations of being a Republican in name only, or “RINO,” and sought former President Trump’s endorsement. She did not receive it, though Mace ultimately survived her primary challenge and was re-elected for another term in November.
During her appearance on Meet The Press, Todd asked if she if she fears future primary challenges if she continues to vote outside the preferences of the GOP electorate.
“I got primaried last time and the time before that. I expect it every time, being in a swing district,” she responded. “But I will tell you, even with the far right coming after me in the last primary, I won overwhelmingly, by nine points. When we had the general election, I flipped 40% of the Democrat precincts and outperformed the former president in my district as well. So I found a way to try to represent all the voices. I can’t represent one side or the other.”
WATCH: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) says the divided Congress needs to learn to work together and not “legislate out of fear.”@RepNancyMace: “I sometimes joke [Joe Manchin] is the most popular Republican in the Senate right now.” pic.twitter.com/FAggZsjGje
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) January 22, 2023
