S.C.’s Mace rejects TV debate with primary opponents, who calls it “absurd”

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, Republican congresswoman in S.C. District 1, is being called “afraid,” and having “flat out lied,” by her competition, Catherine Templeton after the incumbent rejected an offer to debate on local TV stations.

Mace was invited to a Republican primary debate by television stations in both Charleston (WCBD) and Savannah (WSAV). She declined, sparking criticism from her Republican opponent, Templeton.

Templeton’s team originally sent out a press release naming the wrong TV stations, updating them Monday evening to the correct ones.

The campaign team for Bill Young, another Republican candidate, wrote in a text message that Young had confirmed for the debate.

Templeton said Mace didn’t want to debate because she did not want to take responsibility for her actions, including what Templeton listed as “pro-choice policies,” “support for China,” and “voting against funding the border wall.”

“She has not been held to account for her absurd actions time and again and she’s scared to death that people will find out about the true Nancy,” the press release from Templeton’s campaign said. “Nancy betrays conservatives for media attention. She flip flops for fame and money. Nancy has flat out lied to us for years and she has done it all for one thing — herself.”

Mace’s spokesperson Gabrielle Lipsky said “Rep. Mace is in her fifth primary or general election in 4 years. She has a long legislative record of accomplishments for the Lowcountry. Her views on every issue are public and she represents the values of the Lowcountry. She will continue to do events, answer questions and speak directly to voters as she asks them for the honor of representing them again.”

Primary elections are June 11, where Mace’s and six other congressional districts will be voted on.