FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NANCY MACE CHALLENGES CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM TO DEBATE DURING SC VISIT
July 7, 2025 CHARLESTON, SC — Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) issued a direct challenge to California Governor Gavin Newsom ahead of his upcoming tour across eight Republican-leaning counties in South Carolina.
“Governor, welcome to South Carolina,” Mace posted on X. “Let’s debate. I’ll even let you bring Ro Khanna to protect you in the audience.”
Mace’s challenge comes just before Newsom is expected to visit several communities in the Palmetto State on July 8–9. The governor’s stops will include counties such as Pickens, Oconee, and Laurens, deep-red strongholds who overwhelmingly backed President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in November.
Mace, a staunch advocate for conservative values and an outspoken ally of President Trump, criticized Newsom’s tour as “tone-deaf political theater” and questioned his motives for visiting Republican territory.
“If Governor Newsom wants to bring California politics to South Carolina, he should be ready to defend his record, face to face,” said Congresswoman Mace. “We don’t need lectures from someone who’s presided over a state defined by out-of-control wildfires, skyrocketing crime, crumbling public schools, and riots in the streets. South Carolinians believe in law and order. If Governor Newsom wants a real policy debate, I’ll gladly meet him on stage.”
Mace’s challenge has already sparked online attention and buzz among grassroots conservatives who see the moment as a chance to draw a sharp contrast between California liberalism and the America First agenda.
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