Democratic Candidates Advance to Runoff in Congressional Primary
Retired Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore and local attorney Mack Deford are moving forward to a runoff election scheduled for June 23, following a Democratic primary to fill the Congressional seat left vacant by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). In this crowded primary, no candidate managed to secure over 50% of the vote.
The candidates vying for the position are aiming to become only the second Democrat to win South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in four decades. They plan to focus on their military backgrounds and their removal from their posts by Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth.
The need for a new candidate arose when Mace announced his run for governor. Mace gained attention during his time in Congress for his willingness to stray from party lines on significant issues, voting with Democrats to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and advocating for transparency regarding Epstein files.
Mace expressed a desire to remain active in the political sphere, stating that South Carolina requires a governor who will expose the truth and lead effectively.
It’s interesting to note that South Carolina’s 1st District has been a stronghold for Republicans for most of the last 40 years, with the exception of Rep. Joe Cunningham, who held the seat briefly. Mace last won reelection in 2024, defeating his Democratic challenger by a significant margin.
Now, Lacore has positioned herself as a candidate focused on civil service, having been removed from her role as a three-star admiral by Hegseth, which she described as “unfounded.” This dismissal aligns with broader Pentagon reform efforts during the Trump administration, which also affected other high-ranking officials.
Lacore, who served in the Navy for 35 years, believes in the principles of service and integrity, suggesting that current political leaders have strayed from these values. As of late May, she had raised $1.4 million for her campaign, according to FEC records.
Deford is positioning himself as a pragmatic choice, emphasizing his experience as deputy general counsel for Mount Pleasant, particularly during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He notes that running for office isn’t just about politics for him—it’s about home and community. His campaign has raised about $547,800 to date, according to FEC records.
