Nancy Lacore wins South Carolina's 1st Congressional District seat

Democrat Nancy Lacore, a retired three-star Navy vice admiral, has claimed victory in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. Lacore defeated Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt after Honeycutt conceded the race. Unofficial results indicated Lacore leading by approximately 3,300 votes.

The victory marks a significant flip for Democrats in a district that has been a Republican stronghold for decades and was carried by Donald Trump by 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. The seat was previously held by Republican Nancy Mace, who opted not to seek reelection to the House in order to run for governor.

Lacore’s political run follows her removal from a senior Navy leadership position in August 2025 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Lacore served 35 years in the Navy, including roles as a helicopter pilot and Chief of Navy Reserve, where she oversaw approximately 59,000 personnel.