Who's running in South Carolina's 1st congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Cutting federal spending and reducing the national debt: 'Families balance their budgets. Congress should too.'
Line-by-line budget review and sunsetting programmes that are no longer needed.
Addressing housing affordability by cutting red tape and addressing capital gains taxes.
No amnesty for people in the country illegally, alongside a working legal immigration system.
Supporting President Trump's agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, the military and the Second Amendment.
Protecting data and keeping the US ahead of adversaries in artificial intelligence.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Charleston County Council member since 2018.
Attorney and owner of a James Island law firm.
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican runoff with 54% over state Rep. Mark Smith, after leading the 10-candidate primary with 22%.
Endorsed by President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Whip Tom Emmer after the runoff.
Winning for Women Action Fund spent nearly $500,000 supporting her in the primary.
Had about $48,000 on hand as of June 3, 2026, according to The Hill.
Arguments in favor
'We need a Lowcountry leader who will win for you. I was raised in the Lowcountry. I'm raising my family here. I will always put the Lowcountry first.'
— Jenny Costa Honeycutt, runoff-night speech reported by The Post and Courier
'Jenny Honeycutt is an America First patriot who will help us continue to deliver safe streets, secure borders, a strong economy, and peace through strength.'
— House Speaker Mike Johnson, reported by ABC News 4
She is 'the only Republican in this field that's run tough races winning in a swing council district twice.'
— Jenny Costa Honeycutt, reported by WTOC
Arguments against
'This district deserves a representative who upholds the Constitution. If you like the corruption, then Jenny Honeycutt is your candidate.'
— Nancy Lacore, Democratic opponent, runoff-night speech reported by The Post and Courier
On the Epstein files, she emphasised protecting victims' identities rather than full transparency, in contrast with calls that 'people deserve to know what happened.'
— Mark Smith, Republican runoff opponent, at the June debate reported by Live 5 News
What we couldn’t verify
Lacore did not specify in the coverage read what corruption she was referring to.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Expanding health care and educational opportunities for veterans.
Protecting South Carolina's coast.
Building a coalition across party lines and showing 'that integrity still matters'.
A representative who 'upholds the Constitution'.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Navy, 35 years; retired as a vice admiral; chief of the Navy Reserve, overseeing about 59,000 sailors, until removed by Defense Secretary Hegseth in 2025.
Led the nonprofit Valor Run for about a decade.
Moved to South Carolina in October 2025.
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic runoff with 52% over Mac Deford.
Raised more than $1.6 million for the primary; endorsed by EMILYs List and several Republicans.
Declined to debate Deford during the runoff.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
'We have five months to grow a coalition that crosses beyond party lines and political division… to prove that integrity still matters and to show our country what leadership grounded in service really looks like.'
— Nancy Lacore, runoff-night speech reported by The Post and Courier
'I've served my whole life — and I'm not done yet.' Thirty-five years leading sailors prepare her to put 'my experience, my values, and my voice to work' for the district.
— Nancy Lacore campaign website
Arguments against
She avoided scrutiny by refusing to debate during the runoff.
— Mac Deford, Democratic runoff opponent, reported by The Post and Courier
The district needs a representative with Lowcountry roots — 'I was raised in the Lowcountry. I'm raising my family here' — rather than a newcomer.
— Jenny Costa Honeycutt, Republican opponent, runoff-night speech reported by The Post and Courier (Lacore moved to the state in October 2025)
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC or other national Republican material targeting Lacore by name was found.
Lacore has said she was given no reason for her removal; the AP reported it was part of a pattern targeting perceived Trump critics.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is an open seat: Republican Rep. Nancy Mace ran for governor instead of reelection and finished fifth in the June 9 primary. South Carolina held its primaries on June 9, 2026 and runoffs on June 23; November 3 is the general election, and there is no general-election runoff. The congressional map is unchanged for 2026: the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld it against a partisan gerrymandering challenge in September 2025, and after the US Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais the state House passed a Trump-backed redraw in May 2026, but the state Senate declined to advance it on May 26 because early voting in the primary had already begun. Three candidates are certified as active for the general election on the State Election Commission's candidate tracking list: Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt, who beat state Rep. Mark Smith 54% to 46% in the runoff; Democrat Nancy Lacore, who beat Mac Deford 52% to 48% in the runoff; and Libertarian Bill Reeside. Margo Ellis (Alliance Party) is not listed as active, and independent Clayton Cuteri is a write-in candidate and is not included here. The district covers the southern coast, including all of Beaufort and Berkeley counties and most of Charleston County. The Cook Political Report moved it from solid to likely Republican in June 2026; Mace won by nearly 17 points in 2024.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A South Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at South Carolina Election Commission.