CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) – (UPDATE, 11:05 p.m.)– It was a big win for incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace on Tuesday night.

Mace was able to secure a decisive victory, solidifying her third trip to Washington, D.C. to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Mace announced her victory minutes before The Associated Press called the race and made no mention of her Democratic challenger, Michael B. Moore.

Instead, she focused on what she wanted to do when she returned to the capital.

“I’m going back to Washington with South Carolina in my heart,” Mace said in her acceptance speech. “We will secure the border. We will reclaim what it means to be a real biological woman. And we will fight for our country. And whose value begins tonight, I will remain resolute.” Against those who seek to make us lawless, I will take firm action against all those who are self-serving and short-sighted. I'm going to stand in their way and say, hell no.

Mace said she wasn't in Washington, D.C. to make friends. And she said she was ready to get back to work.

(UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.)— The Associated Press declared Rep. Nancy Mace the winner over Democratic challenger Michael B. Moore in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District at 9:19 p.m.

Mace was declared the winner with 58.3% of the vote, while Moore received 41.7% of the vote and 83% of votes were counted.

(UPDATE, 8:45 p.m.)– Rep. Nancy Mace has a comfortable lead over her Democratic challenger Michael B. Moore with 55 percent of the votes counted – 57.3% of the vote to 42.7%.

At her watch party, Mace claimed victory shortly after 8:50 p.m., even though the Associated Press had not officially called the race.

ORIGINAL STORY

After attempts to strike down the redrawn boundaries of South Carolina's 1st Congressional District failed, Republican incumbent Nancy Mace has a significant advantage over her challenger, Democratic newcomer Michael B. Moore.

Moore, who has been on the campaign trail for 643 days, said it has been a protracted battle to regain Democratic control of the sprawling district. As a businessman and descendant of Robert Smalls, a five-time congressman and Civil War hero, Moore is making his first run for Congress a momentous one. But it's uncertain whether he will have enough appeal to unseat Mace, a well-known landowner and two-term incumbent throughout the 1st Congressional District.

“I think people are optimistic about national developments,” Moore said. “You feel Kamala Harris, things feel good, that brought a lot of energy into our campaign and we definitely felt that and just felt good and didn't take anything for granted but are optimistic about the results. “

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This is Mace's third run for office. Both candidates say they are the biggest supporters of women's rights, but they differ greatly on immigration issues. Mace has highlighted immigration and publicly opposed the Charleston County Sheriff's Office and its stance on ICE.

In contrast, Moore said climate change is the biggest concern for his Lowcountry voters and he sees immigration as a distraction.

“It’s about honesty and the truth,” Mace said. “I’m running against a man who has continually lied about my politics, my values, and to Lowcountry voters about who he is. It’s not okay to lie, even if you disagree with a man.”

Mace and Moore present two opposing visions for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

“Abortion is on the women’s issues ballot this year,” Mace said. “You’re not going to find a stronger voice, a stronger voice for women’s rights, anywhere in the country.”

For Moore, it further drove the stark contrast between himself and the incumbent.

“There is a clear electoral contrast in my politics at both the national and congressional levels,” Moore said. “There are many people who care about women’s reproductive freedom. This is important to you. I’m the only one you can trust to say one thing and do that thing.”

This seat represents a significant change to move the Lowcountry's economy in the right direction. Mace will lean on her track record, while Moore has emphasized his track record as a businessman. Polls close at 7:00 p.m. and results will be counted in the following hours.

Mace returned the seat to Republicans in 2020 after a stunning upset of Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham. She fought a Republican challenger backed by former President Donald Trump in 2022 and won a surprisingly easy victory – this time with Trump's support – in the 2024 Republican primary without a runoff.