Top consultant leaves Mace's campaign for governor, accuses congresswoman of abandoning MAGA

CHARLESTON, S.C. Austin McCubbin, a key strategist for Republican U.S. Representative Nancy Mace's 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial campaign, announced Monday that he is departing from the team, citing the congresswomans repeated distancing from MAGA principles.

McCubbin, a longtime ally of former President Trump and manager of Maces 2022 House re-election campaign, stated on X on December 1 that his split is out of loyalty to the President and urged GOP voters to remove Mace from consideration. My loyalty is with President Trump, my campaign colleagues, and the MAGA supporters I served as Team Trump SC State Director, he explained. Governor McMaster has shown consistent loyalty to the President. South Carolina needs someone equally steadfast.

A spokesperson for Mace countered McCubbins statements, noting that he never raised any funds or actively participated in the campaign, adding that when he requested $10,000 per month for services and was denied, he immediately went public on X.

McCubbin cited a recent connection between Mace and a PAC linked to Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky as the final tipping point. The Protect Freedom PAC, tied to Rand Paul, recently spent on Nancys behalf without my prior knowledge, he said. While initially assuming it was independent activity, he claimed that after discussing with Mace, she actively supported the PAC, even arranging a seven-figure donation.

He further argued that Mace ignored warnings about political risks associated with aligning with Paul and his allies, including Representative Thomas Massie, both of whom have clashed with Trump. McCubbin noted that Mace joined Massies petition to force the Justice Department to release Jeffrey Epstein-related files. She has now fully aligned with the Rand Paul and Thomas Massie faction for financial support, he said. Nancy Mace is effectively acting as a proxy for Rand Pauls 2028 presidential ambitions.

McCubbins departure is a significant reversal, considering he had previously endorsed Mace as the most pro-Trump and America First governor in the country when he joined her campaign in August.

The Republican primary for South Carolina governor has become a competitive battle for Trumps endorsement, with candidates striving to demonstrate loyalty to the former president. Maces campaign defended her record, asserting she has supported Trump since Day One.

According to an October Winthrop Poll, nearly 80% of registered Republican voters in South Carolina consider Trumps endorsement a key factor in their decision for the party nominee.

Author: Sophia Brooks