Nancy Mace predicts a GOP 'bloodbath' in midterms, doubts Republicans will keep Senate control

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Nancy Mace, R-SC, said something startling that was out of character for many in her party: She does not think Republicans will win control of the Senate in November and is fretting over what the outcome of the election may be.

Her remarks came on the same day that she defied the majority of her party in a high-profile vote on the war with Iran.

She said that she expects the midterm elections to be "a bloodbath" and that she doesn't think Republicans will come out on the winning side.

Rep Nancy Mace (R-SC) speaks to the media after attending Congressional briefings on Iran at the US Capitol on March 3, 2026 in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Nancy Mace defends vote against Trump on Iran

Mace tied her pessimism directly to the economic environment heading into November.

"When the economy is the way that it is, when rates are up, when the price, the affordability and the cost of living is up where it is traditionally, the majority goes the other direction in a midterm election. I fully expect that to happen," she said, pointing to the historical pattern of the president's party losing ground in midterm years.

Mace also took the chance to defend her vote earlier that day, which saw all Democrats and a record six other Republicans vote for a resolution that would direct Trump to halt the war with Iran.

She argued the move reflects genuine political vulnerability for the GOP rather than disloyalty to the president, saying she was surprised more of her Republican colleagues didn't join her.

"It’s why I’m surprised there weren’t more Republicans voting for the war powers resolution, because it is a big issue when you go back home. Nobody wants to be in a war with Iran," she said.

Nancy Mace’s political future after governor bid

Mace's comments reflect her political situation, given that she will not be returning to Congress when the new session opens next year.

Not wanting to run again for the House, Mace entered the race for governor of South Carolina and finished fifth in the June primary, ending her bid for elected office.

This position puts her in a better place than many of her Republican colleagues to speak out on the issues facing the party without fear of reprisals at the polls.

Mace's comments are in stark contrast to the more positive public posture of the Republican leadership and the White House going into the midterms.

Republican strategists have privately expressed concerns about the enthusiasm gap between Republican and Democratic voters, which has been apparent in recent special elections and primaries.

Her willingness to go on record about a potentially difficult outcome for her party, together with her vote against the administration's Iran policy on the same day, comes amid concerns about economic pressures and the war with Iran.

It also comes as the president's party faces traditional midterm headwinds just weeks ahead of the election.