Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace has publicly dismissed rumours that she plans to quit Congress, despite expressing profound frustration with her party's leadership under House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Mace Rejects "Clickbait" Retirement Claims
In a forceful rebuttal, Mace labelled reports of her impending retirement as "a BIG FAT NO." The speculation originated from a New York Times story suggesting she would meet with fellow Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to discuss following her into leaving Congress. Mace, who is running for Governor of South Carolina, took to social media to deny the claims outright, calling them "clickbait" and accusing the press of "making stories up."
"I loathe how slow Congress moves. I loathe we haven’t delivered on President Trump’s agenda. I loathe serious lawmakers aren’t taken seriously," Mace wrote, outlining her grievances. She was particularly critical of the internal process, highlighting her support for a discharge petition to ban stock trading by members of Congress. "Why does something so easy ethically and morally to support, take forcing it down the throats of leadership when it’s just common sense?" she questioned.
A Caucus of Discontent
The story forms part of a broader narrative of discontent among several high-profile women in the Republican Party. Reports from NBC News and the Wall Street Journal indicate that Mace, Greene, Anna Paulina Luna, and Elise Stefanik have all voiced significant anger towards Speaker Johnson.
Elise Stefanik, a New York Congresswoman also running for governor, directly criticised Johnson in an interview. "He certainly wouldn’t have the votes to be speaker if there was a roll-call vote tomorrow," she stated, citing poor handling of a record-long government shutdown and recent special election underperformances. She characterised former Speaker Kevin McCarthy as a "political animal," while labelling Johnson a "political novice."
Stefanik also suggested that Donald Trump "is the leader of the Republicans and he certainly doesn’t need Mike Johnson." The pair have been feuding over a provision in the annual defence-authorisation bill, with Johnson claiming he was unaware of the issue.
Policy Grievances and Political Fallout
Another point of contention is Johnson's refusal to schedule a vote on a bill to ban congressional stock trading, a measure championed by Florida's Anna Paulina Luna and supported by Mace. This policy dispute underscores the wider frustrations with the pace and priorities of the current leadership.
The internal strife arrives at a precarious time for the GOP. A recent unexpectedly close race in a Republican stronghold has raised questions about the party's national brand and voter enthusiasm ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democratic victories in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia have energised the opposition, signalling that traditionally safe GOP seats may now be in play.
The situation is further complicated by the confirmed departure of Marjorie Taylor Greene, who will resign her seat in January 2026. In a lengthy video statement last month, Greene cited disgust with the Washington establishment, her split from Donald Trump, and a desire to spend more time with her family. Her exit will thin Johnson's already slim majority, adding to the leadership's challenges.
While Nancy Mace has ruled out an immediate exit, her public airing of grievances alongside other prominent Republican women paints a picture of a party faction deeply at odds with its own leadership, with potential consequences for its legislative agenda and electoral prospects.
