Top Mace adviser leaves her campaign, citing loyalty to Trump

Consultant Resigns from Mace’s Gubernatorial Campaign, Citing Shift Away from MAGA

A significant shake-up has occurred in Rep. Nancy Mace’s campaign for governor of South Carolina as top consultant Austin McCubbin tendered his resignation on Monday. McCubbin’s departure comes with a sharp critique, claiming Mace has “decided to turn her back on MAGA.”

In a post on X, McCubbin, a seasoned Republican strategist, did not hold back in his criticism, accusing Mace of attempting to align herself with what he referred to as the “political cactus” of the party, specifically targeting the Rand Paul and Thomas Massie factions. He further questioned her connections to the Protect Freedom PAC, which has ties to Paul, suggesting a political shift that could alienate her base.

McCubbin alleged that Mace instructed an acquaintance to funnel a “7-figure check” to the PAC, claiming she is “wittingly or unwittingly a proxy for Rand Paul’s 2028 presidential campaign.” This purported conversation was pivotal in his decision to exit the campaign, although POLITICO has yet to verify these assertions independently.

Expressing his discontent, McCubbin stated, “My name has been used publicly while going back on her word to pay me, to trade on my Team Trump status and to work on her behalf with the White House, and I am 100% breaking with her campaign out of loyalty to the President.”

Mace’s campaign responded with a statement asserting that McCubbin did not contribute any financial support to the campaign and noted his absence in key activities. They pointed out that when he requested $10,000 a month for his services and was rebuffed, he quickly took to social media to air his grievances. “Good luck with that,” the spokesperson added, implying a lack of concern for McCubbin’s claims.

In the realm of South Carolina politics, endorsements from former President Donald Trump carry substantial weight, and Mace, like her rivals in this competitive gubernatorial race, has been vying for Trump’s endorsement since declaring her candidacy in August.

“My advice to the President, my friends in the White House, and South Carolina Trump voters: scratch her name from the list,” McCubbin wrote, further distancing himself from Mace.

Mace’s campaign had previously highlighted McCubbin’s valuable experience as one of the lead consultants, emphasizing his previous success with Trump’s campaign in South Carolina. The two had a history, with McCubbin managing Mace’s first re-election campaign in 2022.

McCubbin concluded his remarks by underscoring the importance of loyalty in politics, praising the current Governor Henry McMaster as a “great governor” who has shown unwavering support for Trump. He insisted that South Carolina needs a leader whose integrity is beyond question, stating, “where you know their word is their bond.”