Full Breakdown
Nancy Lacore Secures Democratic Nomination in South Carolina’s 1st District, Setting Up General Election Face-off
6/24/2026, 7:48:48 AM
Democratic Victory in the Runoff
On June 23, 2026, retired Navy vice admiral Nancy Lacore won the Democratic runoff for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, defeating Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford by about 8 points. The same day, Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt clinched the Republican nomination, setting up the November race for the House seat.
Background: Redistricting, Incumbent’s Gubernatorial Bid, and Military Purge
The 2021 redistricting made the district more Republican; Rep. Nancy Mace has held it since 2021. Mace abandoned re-election to run for governor, losing in June 2026. Lacore entered the race after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed her in August 2025 as part of a broader removal of senior officers viewed as misaligned.
Candidate Profiles
Lacore spent 35 years in the Navy, rising to three-star rear admiral and chief of the Navy Reserve, overseeing 60,000 personnel. Honeycutt, a Republican on the Charleston County Council since 2018, emphasizes “steady leadership” and Lowcountry concerns.
Campaign Finance and Organizational Support
Lacore raised $500,000 in two weeks and $1.4-$1.6 million by late May. By June 3 she had $279,000 on hand versus Honeycutt’s $48,000. House Majority PAC earmarked $2.1 million; VoteVets $100,000, The Bench $65,000, and Emily’s List endorsed Lacore.
District Profile and Electoral Outlook
The 1st District along the southeast coast had a 2019 median household income of $77,100, the state’s highest. The Cook Political Report shifted the seat from “solidly Republican” to “likely Republican,” noting Honeycutt’s advantage. Lacore’s profile and fundraising keep the race competitive.
Official Statements & Responses
House Majority PAC announced support for the Democratic candidate in SC-01. Lacore’s platform focuses on housing affordability, veteran health care, and coastal protection. Honeycutt’s ads stress spending restraint, cost-of-living relief, and border security, urging families to balance budgets.
Criticism & Opposition
Republican analysts cite the 2021 redistricting and GOP voting as structural advantages for Honeycutt. Her campaign also portrays Lacore’s 2025 dismissal as partisan bias.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Lacore’s total fundraising ($1.6 million in the New York Times vs $1.4 million in The Guardian and The Hill) and on her service branch (most describe her as a Navy vice admiral, while WTOC calls her a Coast Guard admiral).
Verbatim Quotes
- “We look forward to supporting the Democratic candidate in SC-01,” — CJ Warnke, House Majority PAC
- “Our campaign has been focused on one thing and that is serving the Lowcountry,” — Jenny Costa Honeycutt, Republican candidate
- “I knew that I had done my job extremely well and I remained true to my oath to the Constitution, so when I left the Pentagon, I felt good,” — Nancy Lacore, Democratic nominee
- “Families balance their budgets. Congress should too.” — Jenny Costa Honeycutt, campaign ad
What’s Next
Lacore and Honeycutt will campaign through the summer and fall, with the November 2026 general election deciding whether the district’s third woman ever elected to the House will be a Democrat or remain Republican.
