Sarah McBride gets last laugh after Nancy Mace’s devastating election loss: ‘Happy Pride, Nancy’

U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride didn't have much to say about Rep. Nancy Mace's humiliating defeat in South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial primary.Three words, in fact. "Happy Pride, Nancy."The line brought hundreds of LGBTQ+ activists, elected officials, donors, and allies to their feet Tuesday evening at Equality PAC's National Pride Gala in Washington, D.C., where McBride appeared to relish a rare political role reversal.For much of the last two years, Mace has made McBride a frequent target, repeatedly invoking the Delaware Democratic congresswoman in speeches, interviews, social media posts, and legislative fights over transgender rights. Since McBride became the first out trans member of Congress in January 2025, Mace has emerged as one of the most visible anti-trans voices on Capitol Hill, championing efforts to restrict transgender people's access to bathrooms and other gendered facilities in federal buildings. Mace at one point even chased a woman she thought was McBride into a Capitol restroom, only to discover that it was a cisgender colleague.Related: Nancy Mace remade herself as an anti-trans culture warrior. Trump chose her opponent for governor Related: Nancy Mace said she was 'pro-transgender rights' just last year: 'It's your body, your choice' Related: Lauren Boebert & Nancy Mace confront woman they thought was trans in ‘predictable’ Capitol bathroom incidentBut on Tuesday, it was McBride delivering the punchline."Today is a big day because today is the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary," McBride told the gala crowd. "And for those of you who aren't aware, my colleague and Congress's top bathroom sheriff, Nancy Mace, is on the ballot."The audience laughed and applauded."And while not all of the votes have been counted yet, she is in a respectful fifth place," McBride continued. "I don't like punching down, and I believe in the politics of grace. So all I will say is happy Pride, Nancy."The room at the Mellon Auditorium erupted.“Con