Mace flies into political turbulence at Charleston airport

A leading candidate for S.C. governor faced bipartisan backlash this week as dozens of leaders from both political parties condemned her treatment of police officers at Charleston International Airport.

The controversy began Nov. 3 when the media reported Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of Charleston allegedly castigated officers with foul language and personal insults in an Oct. 30 incident.

According to police reports, Mace hurled a stream of invective at officers after a mix-up left her entering the airport without a security escort. Among other demeaning remarks, Mace is reported to have called the officers “f*****g incompetent.”

As of press time, at least 50 officials — from Republicans like U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and S.C. Freedom Caucus Chair Jordan Pace to Democrats such as S.C. Sen. Deon Tedder and Rep. Leon Stavrinakis — issued statements or signed onto a public letter standing with law enforcement and airport officials.

Mace, who along with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette is leading the 2026 GOP field for governor in an October Winthrop Poll, announced Wednesday that she plans to sue American Airlines and the Charleston airport for defamation. Representing her in the case is Judicial Watch founder Larry Klayman, a high-profile Clinton-era legal activist who was suspended in 2022 from the practice of law for ethical violations in Washington, D.C.

Charleston Democratic Sen. Ed Sutton, who signed the letter of support for airport police, used a little unvarnished language of his own to explain the bipartisan reaction.

“We’re just tired of her s**t,” he said. “Every day is just another drama cycle of her yelling and having a public meltdown and threatening to sue somebody, and we’re tired of the reality TV show.”

He added, “You’ve got Democrats, Republicans, Freedom Caucus, Independents — I mean you couldn’t normally get us to agree the sky is blue. I don’t know a single person who’s supporting her on this.”

For her part, Mace remained defiant throughout the week, posting a video to X on Nov. 5 that she said disproved the allegations. In the brief clip, Mace can be seen walking to the gate, scanning her ticket and leaving the area without incident. Not visible are any interactions with airport security officials.

“This is a lie that damaged my very good, honest, trustworthy, hard-working reputation,” she wrote. “DEFAMATION LAWSUIT INCOMING!!”