Democrat Nancy Lacore Wins South Carolina House Seat

Democrat Nancy Lacore has secured a victory in the U.S. House of Representatives race for South Carolina’s First Congressional District. She will take over from Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who opted not to seek reelection, aiming for a gubernatorial position instead, which she did not achieve.

Lacore, a former Navy admiral, won against Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt. With all precincts reporting, she leads by over 3,000 votes, ensuring her win in this district traditionally held by Republicans. Lacore expressed gratitude, attributing her victory to voters across party lines seeking meaningful change.

Lacore stated, “The latest vote totals from Dorchester County have expanded our lead and put this race outside the margin for an automatic recount. The voters of the Lowcountry have spoken, and they’ve made their choice clear. I’m honored to be the next Congresswoman from South Carolina’s First Congressional District.”

The district’s political landscape has been largely Republican. It was won by Donald Trump by 13 points in 2024. Notably, notable Republicans such as Sen. Tim Scott and former Gov. Mark Sanford previously held the seat.

In August 2025, Lacore was controversially fired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Navy member since 1990. The Department of Defense did not comment on this dismissal, which was one of several firings by Hegseth.

Financially, Lacore raised $4.8 million throughout her campaign whereas Honeycutt’s campaign collected under $1.3 million. This financial backing likely played a role in Lacore’s success against a backdrop of longstanding Republican representation.

Rep. Nancy Mace, who was noted for her anti-transgender stance, was unsuccessful in her gubernatorial primaries. She has served the district since 2021, after defeating Democrat Joe Cunningham.