COLUMBIA, S.C. — In an indication of how bitter the 2026 race for the GOP nomination for governor of South Carolina will be, Congresswoman Nancy Mace took to the U.S. House floor Monday night and accused state Attorney General Alan Wilson of not prosecuting specific rape, voyeurism and other heinous crimes against women.

The speech illustrates how intense the run for governor will be until the June 2026 GOP primary where candidates may proverbially engage in bare-knuckled, knives-out campaigning.

“It’s kind of a free for all. That’s why they say politics is a blood sport in South Carolina. I totally anticipate it will be not unlike the past,” said Chad Connelly, who served as South Carolina GOP chairman from 2011 to 2013.

Neither Mace nor Wilson have formally launched a 2026 campaign for governor, but both have said they’re considering runs. Mace’s biggest rival may be Wilson.

In the nearly 4,800-word speech, Mace says she has evidence that four men, who she called business partners, committed crimes. One of the four is a person she used to be close to.

Although Mace named the four during her speech, The State newspaper is not immediately identifying them because it appears charges have not been filed. The State was unable to immediately verify with law enforcement officials whether any investigations are ongoing.

By making the speech on the House floor, Mace is protected by the speech and debate clause of the U.S. Constitution, giving her protection against any potential slander claims.

However, she confidently stood by her comments. Her evidence includes more than 10,000 videos she discovered after being given access to a mobile phone, she said.

“None of this is conjecture. This is not an allegation. These are the facts. In black and white. Without exaggeration or without any flourishes. This is what I found, this is what I saw and this is what I accidentally uncovered,” Mace said in prepared remarks released before her speech.

Mace said in November 2023 she found nonconsensual photos and videos of women and underage girls undressed, and a video of the rape of an unconscious woman. She even found a hidden camera video of herself naked on the phone. During her remarks Mace said she was able to identify almost a dozen victims.

In the speech Mace even shares how she was served two vodka sodas at the property owned by two of the men she named in the speech. She then blacked out, which she said had never happened before after having a vodka soda.

“Did anyone film me when I was incapacitated and being raped? Will I ever,” Mace said in her speech where she appeared to hold back tears.

Mace said she turned over evidence to law enforcement, but no charges have been filed. She placed the blame on Wilson.

“Did South Carolina’s attorney general have any of these predators indicted after being provided clear cut and dry evidence including video, photos and witnesses? No he has not,” Mace said in her speech.

Mace said there were deliberate delays in the investigation.

Mace also accused the state law enforcement officials of not acting on the evidence she provided.

“When the attorney of a victim asked to speak to Attorney General Alan Wilson directly, he told the attorney not to send him any information or documents,” Mace said. “Did the state accept the additional, potential physical and other evidence from me when I stumbled across potentially additional information later last year? No they did not.”

Mace didn’t provide details in her speech of how or when Wilson was contacted.

Mace said she was told by law enforcement she could be investigated even though she was the one turning over the evidence, and that she could be arrested if she kept moving forward.

“Women who come forward in your system are treated like criminals under your leadership, in your system, and on your watch,” Mace said in a line directed at Wilson.

Wilson’s office has attorneys who prosecute rape cases and human trafficking cases.

Last week, while speaking to the Lexington County Republican Party, Wilson defended his prosecutors in response to Mace’s previous comments that he he doesn’t prosecute sex offenders or rapists.

“I’ve been defensive on behalf of the men and women who committed their lives to going after predators and rapists and pedophiles and so that that was an insult to them,” Wilson said. “For me, I’m in politics. I’m supposed to get attacked for ridiculous stuff, but they don’t deserve that.”

Because Gov. Henry McMaster is precluded from running in 2026, the race for the governor’s mansion will be wide open.

South Carolina is a reliably Republican state, so whoever wins the GOP nomination is the overwhelming favorite to win the general election.

Scott Huffmon, the director of Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research at Winthrop University, was blunt of what to expect.

“I think it has the potential to be pretty nasty with lots of accusations and snarky comments being thrown around,” Huffmon said.

Mace has been telegraphing her comments in recent weeks, saying Wilson has not done enough to help rape and human trafficking victims.

“We’re certainly not immune to the accusations flying even before they announce, if they announce; it’s not unusual,” Connelly said before Mace’s speech.

_____

©2025 The State. Visit thestate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.