Hours after South Carolina's most recognized Medal of Honor recipient endorsed Katie Arrington in the Charleston region's GOP congressional race, incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace rolled out her own high-profile military supporter.
George Patton "Pat" Waters, grandson of World War II Gen. George Patton, is endorsing Mace in the Republican primary.
The backing is a reversal from 2020, when Waters, of Mount Pleasant, endorsed Mace’s Democratic opponent Joe Cunningham in the 1st Congressional District election.
"I’ve grown to greatly respect and admire Nancy Mace’s tenacious and honest representation in Washington,” Waters said in a statement March 9.
“You always know where she stands," he continued. "And she doesn’t fall in line in Washington, she stands out, stands up and always puts the Lowcountry first. Nancy represents the kind of leadership we desperately need."
Mace's statement said Waters "understands the needs of the Lowcountry and our national security, and I’m grateful he recognizes I can be trusted to stand up for both every day in Washington.”
Arrington, a former state lawmaker from Summerville backed by former President Donald Trump, this week received the endorsement of South Carolina Medal of Honor recipient retired Marine Maj. Gen. James Livingston.
Livingston previously supported Mace in her congressional run two years ago.
The primary is June 14. The district includes parts of Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton and Beaufort counties.