- GOP Freshman Rep. Nancy Mace’s entire office staff has turned over since as of November 1, 2023
- Her former chief of staff is now running against her in the congressional primary.
- In recent months, several of her former staffers said her office was “toxic” and “abusive.”
Staff turnover in Republican Rep. Nancy Mace’s office is about as high as possible as she deals with a primary challenge from a former chief of staff, a recent report revealed.
On Monday, The Daily Beast reported that her entire Capitol Hill staff has turned over since November 1. Of the nine staffers, eight quit. The only person fired was her former chief of staff, Dan Hanlon, whom she let go on December 1, 2023, and who reportedly left with the office popcorn machine.
Hanlon is now running against her in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. According to the Washington Post, Hanlon was spurred into running for office by former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy after she voted to boot him from GOP leadership.
Mace’s office has gained a “toxic” reputation in recent months after her former staffers told several publications they were given unrealistic expectations, worked exhausting work hours, and felt that they were abused under her leadership.
In November 2023, a separate report from The Daily Beast noted that several of her former staffers questioned how highly the member seemed to value television appearances and time in the spotlight more than legislating.
Mace’s conduct in office has done more than rankle her former staff: it’s also given her opponents plenty of fodder in their campaigns to unseat her.
Democrat Michael B. Moore, her possible opponent in November, said, “She says one thing, she votes another.”
“People are getting tired of that kind of thing,” he added.
A representative from Mace’s staff did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
