Republican Representative Nancy Mace is seriously considering running for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, a move that could reshape the Republican race in South Carolina ahead of the November elections.

Graham died Saturday night at age 71 due to a brief, sudden illness, his office said. The senator was seeking reelection and had won the state's Republican primary last month with about 60% of the vote.

South Carolina law says Gov. Henry McMaster must appoint a temporary replacement to fill out the remainder of Graham's term through Jan. 3. In addition, he must call a special primary election to select the new Republican candidate who will appear on the general election ballot.

According to sources close to Mace cited by several American media, the congresswoman plans to conduct internal surveys to measure her viability in the race. One of the people consulted described her position with the expression “YOLO” (“you only live once”), reflecting the legislator's willingness to assume the political risk of a new state candidacy.

Mace seeks to relaunch his political career

The potential candidacy represents an unexpected opportunity for Mace, who recently placed fifth in the Republican primary for South Carolina governor, with about 12% of the vote. After that defeat, his political future seemed uncertain, since he had given up seeking re-election to the House of Representatives to concentrate on the race for governor.

This would not be the first time he has tried to reach the Senate. In 2014 he ran in the Republican primary with the goal of defeating Graham, although he finished in a distant fifth place. Since then, she was elected to the state legislature in 2018 and subsequently reached Congress in 2020.

Mace began her federal career as a Republican critic of then-President Donald Trump, but over time became one of his most visible allies and a leading voice in the party's conservative wing.

However, the relationship with Trump has shown recent strains. The congresswoman supported initiatives to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, a position that, according to allies of the president, generated discomfort in Trump's entourage during the campaign for governor.

A Republican race with multiple unknowns

The deadline to file candidates for the special primaries is July 21 and voting is scheduled for August 11. If no candidate obtains the required majority, a second round will be held on August 25.

The Republican winner will face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, a doctor who had already begun her campaign against Graham, in November.

Another name that came up in speculation was Rep. Joe Wilson, although the lawmaker later indicated he would remain in the House of Representatives to help maintain the narrow Republican majority.

Trump also fueled speculation by declaring in a television interview that he already has a person in mind to replace Graham, although he avoided revealing the name because he considered it was still too early after the senator's death.

Meanwhile, Mace paid tribute to Graham in a statement highlighting his military service and career in the Senate. “We didn't always agree, but no one ever questioned his love for South Carolina,” the congresswoman said.

With the electoral process already underway, Mace's final decision could make her one of the central figures in one of the most watched Republican races in the country.