Mace Compares Anti-Israel Protests to Nazi Germany Amidst Primary Battle

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina draws parallels between anti-Israel protests and the Nazi era in Germany, as she faces a primary challenge with the support of former President Trump.

Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) has sparked controversy by comparing anti-Israel protests to Nazi Germany, as she faces a primary challenge with the support of former President Trump.

In a recent interview, Mace stated, "This isn't 1940s Germany. We cannot allow anti-Semitism to spread unchecked." She went on to condemn the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates for economic and political pressure on Israel.

Mace's comments have drawn criticism from some, who argue that they trivialize the horrors of the Holocaust. However, Mace defended her remarks, saying that she was simply trying to draw attention to the dangers of anti-Semitism.

"I think it's a very appropriate comparison," Mace said. "When you start silencing voices, when you start demonizing people, when you start calling for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions, that's exactly what the Nazis did."

Mace is facing a primary challenge from Catherine Templeton, the former head of the South Carolina health and environment department. Templeton is backed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Joe Wilson of the neighboring 2nd Congressional District.

Trump, who previously endorsed Mace's primary opponent in 2020, has now thrown his support behind her. Mace has also received backing from current House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The primary race has been contentious, with nearly $9 million spent on ads. Nearly half of the money comes from McCarthy-aligned outside groups that are targeting Mace. However, Mace has had roughly $3 million in outside spending on her behalf.

Mace has faced controversy in recent months, with several of her congressional staffers quitting late last year and early this year. A former Mace chief of staff briefly launched a primary challenge against her.

In addition to the 1st Congressional District race, two other GOP congressional primaries in South Carolina are worth watching. In the 3rd District, a crowded field of seven Republicans is competing for the nomination to replace Rep. Jeff Duncan. In the 4th District, three-term Rep. William Timmons faces a challenge from state Rep. Adam Morgan.

Trump also made a last-minute endorsement in Nevada's Republican Senate nomination race, backing former Army captain Sam Brown. Brown is a front-runner in the crowded GOP primary field, which includes Jeff Gunter, a wealthy dermatologist and former U.S. ambassador to Iceland.

Republicans need a pickup of one to two seats in November to win back the Senate majority. There are also GOP primaries Tuesday for the Democrat-held but competitive 1st, 3rd, and 4th congressional districts in Nevada.

In North Dakota, Trump running mate contender and two-term Gov. Doug Burgum is not seeking a third term. Burgum is backing Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller in the race to succeed him. Miller is facing off against three-term Rep. Kelly Armstrong.

In Maine, Republicans are once again targeting Democrat Rep. Jared Golden, who is running for a fourth term in a mostly rural district won by Trump in both 2016 and 2020. State Rep. Austin Theriault and state Rep. Mike Soboleski are facing off in the GOP primary to challenge Golden in the general election.