CHARLESTON, S.C. — Nancy Lacore, a retired Navy vice admiral dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in 2025, has advanced to a Democratic primary runoff for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. She is seeking to replace Rep. Nancy Mace, who vacated the seat to run unsuccessfully for governor earlier this year.
Lacore will face Mac Deford, a Coast Guard veteran and former Hilton Head Island general counsel, in the June 23 runoff. The winner will compete in November for a district that has been a Republican stronghold for decades.
Her dismissal from the Navy came during a controversial period when Hegseth blocked promotions of several officers, a move critics said disproportionately affected women and minorities. Lacore has leaned into that experience, framing her campaign as a fight against political interference in military leadership. “I know what it means to be silenced, and I know what it means to stand up,” she told supporters at a recent rally.
Since launching her campaign, Lacore has proven to be a formidable fundraiser, pulling in $500,000 in her first two weeks and more than $1.4 million by late May. She is backed by The Bench, a Democratic strategist group that supports candidates in difficult districts.
South Carolina’s 1st District was redrawn in 2021 to favor Republicans. Nancy Mace previously won reelection by double digits, and Democrats have only held the seat once in the past 40 years — when Joe Cunningham served from 2019 to 2021.
On social media, Lacore’s advancement sparked lively debate. Supporters hailed her military record and resilience. “She’s the kind of leader we need — tough, tested, and unafraid,” one user wrote on X. Critics, however, questioned whether Democrats can realistically flip the district, with one commentator noting, “This is still deep red territory, no matter how strong the candidate.”
Opinion leaders and policy analysts say Lacore’s candidacy highlights broader debates about gender equity in defense promotions and the role of military veterans in politics. “Her story resonates because it’s about fairness and accountability,” said political analyst James Whitaker. “But the challenge remains: can Democrats break through in coastal South Carolina?”
Stakeholders in the Democratic Party view Lacore’s campaign as a test case for expanding their reach in traditionally conservative districts. Meanwhile, Republican strategists argue the seat is secure, pointing to the district’s voting history and strong GOP infrastructure.
For Lacore, the runoff represents both a personal comeback and a political gamble. “This is bigger than me,” she told supporters. “It’s about proving that integrity and service still matter.”
