South Carolina Republicans unseat Trump-opposed Rep. Tom Rice in primary, retain Rep. Nancy Mace


Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) was defeated by state Rep. Russell Fry (R), The Associated Press projects, in one of two South Carolina primary races in which former President Donald Trump endorsed the challenger. Rice, who has represented South Carolina's 7th Congressional District for five terms, angered the former president and his supporters by voting to impeach Trump for fomenting the Jan. 6 Capitol siege. Ten House Republicans voted to impeach Trump, and Rice is the first to be unseated, though four decided not to seek reelection.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), on the other hand, won her race against Trump-backed opponent Katie Arrington in the 1st Congressional District. The split verdict reflects the mixed success Trump has had in his attempt to punish Republican lawmakers he deems insufficiently loyal.
Mace criticized Trump for the Jan. 6 insurrection and voted to certify President Biden's victory, but she tried to get back in his good graces by pledging her support in front of Trump Tower earlier this year and noting to her constituents that she worked to elect Trump in 2016 and 2020.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump still endorsed Arrington, a former state representative who lost her race against Democrat Joe Cunningham in the 1st District in 2018. Mace defeated Cunningham in 2020. Cunningham won Tuesday's Democratic primary to challenge Gov. Henry McMaster (R) in November.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Shadow Ticket: Thomas Pynchon’s first novel in over a decade
The Week Recommends Zany whodunnit about a private eye in 1930s Milwaukee could be the 88-year-old author’s ‘last hurrah’
-
Sora 2 and the fear of an AI video future
In the Spotlight Cutting-edge video-creation app shares ‘hyperrealistic’ AI content for free
-
Will Starmer’s India visit herald blossoming new relations?
Today's Big Question Despite a few ‘awkward undertones’, the prime minister’s trip shows signs of solidifying trade relations
-
The party bringing Trump-style populism to Japan
Under The Radar Far-right party is ‘Rise of Sanseito is ‘shattering’ the belief that Japan is ‘immune’ to populism’ the belief that Japan is ‘immune’ to populism
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Can Trump bully Netanyahu into Gaza peace?
Today's Big Question The Israeli leader was ‘strong-armed’ into new peace deal
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
The GOP: Merging flag and cross
Feature Donald Trump has launched a task force to pursue “anti-Christian policies”
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace deal
The Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?
Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered