CHAPIN, S.C. — On Monday, Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina delivered a nearly hour-long speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives wherein she made serious allegations against her former fiancé. She accused him of engaging in physical abuse, recording sexual acts without consent involving her and other women, and conspiring in acts related to rape and sexual misconduct.
Mace stated that her motive for coming forward was the inaction of her state’s top prosecutor, despite her prior reports to investigators. This prosecutor may be a future opponent for Mace if she decides to run for governor of South Carolina in 2026, a possibility she is currently contemplating.
In a dramatic tone, Mace proclaimed that she had “accidentally uncovered some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable,” citing issues such as rape, non-consensual photography and videography, and targeted exploitation of women and minors within her district. She highlighted the involvement of four men in these allegations, including Patrick Bryant, a businessman from Charleston who was her fiancé until 2023 and had previously supported Mace’s re-election campaign by canvassing door-to-door.
Bryant responded to the allegations, categorically denying them and expressing his readiness to engage fully in any necessary legal procedures to clear his name. Mace also criticized South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for purportedly delaying investigations against Bryant and the other men after she provided evidence, including photos and videos.
Mace questioned why none of these individuals had been indicted given the supposedly compelling evidence furnished to the attorney general. She mentioned that her office had established a tip line for anyone possessing information related to the allegations.
In a statement following Mace’s speech, the attorney general’s office dismissed her claims concerning the prosecutor’s actions as “categorically false,” stating they had not received any reports or assistance requests from law enforcement on these matters.
A former member of the South Carolina state House, Mace holds the distinction of being the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, South Carolina’s military college, where her father served as commandant of cadets. After a brief tenure in the state House, Mace made history in 2020 by becoming the first Republican woman to represent South Carolina in Congress, winning the 1st District after a Democratic incumbent.
Her choice to raise these allegations during a formal speech is highly unconventional. Mace has underscored that remarks made on the House floor are considered “legislative acts,” providing them legal protection under the “speech or debate” clause, which generally shields lawmakers from being sued over what they communicate.
Mace declared, “This isn’t a story about bitter ex-girlfriends or consensual sex tapes — there are plenty of those. I don’t care what two consenting adults agree to do.” She noted her involvement in various legislative bills tackling issues such as preventing voyeurism and prohibiting transgender women from using women’s facilities in the U.S. Capitol.
In 2019, Mace publicly disclosed a sexual assault that took place over two decades prior while advocating for an amendment to allow exceptions for rape and incest in a state-wide abortion ban.
During her speech, Mace was accompanied in the House gallery by other women whom she stated had also been victimized by Bryant and the co-accused. Republican colleagues, including Representatives Lauren Boebert and Anna Paulina Luna, showed their support by sitting behind her during the address. Boebert affirmed their friendship, expressing the intent to uplift Mace and support her message.
At the age of 47, Mace secured a third term in the House in November and has indicated she is contemplating a gubernatorial run in 2026. If she pursues this, she may face Wilson in the Republican primary as he seeks a fourth term and is also the son of Rep. Joe Wilson.
Mace has generally shown support for Donald Trump, having worked on his 2016 campaign but later criticized him post the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots—a critique that reportedly prompted Trump to support a GOP challenger during her 2022 campaign. Ultimately, Mace prevailed in that race, earned re-election, and has Trump’s endorsement in her current campaign for the House.
After her speech, Mace opted not to provide additional comments to reporters, simply reflecting on her current emotional state by stating, “I’m at peace.”
