Nancy Lacore Secures House Seat in South Carolina

Democrat Nancy Lacore triumphed in securing an open U.S. House seat in South Carolina. This seat was previously held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. Lacore’s victory stems from Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt’s defeat following Mace’s decision not to pursue reelection in favor of an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign.

Nancy Lacore, a former Navy admiral, was dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in 2025. Despite this, Lacore leads with over 3,000 votes in South Carolina’s first district, with all precincts accounted for. This is according to the state’s election website, although the Associated Press has yet to officially call the race.

“The latest results from Dorchester County have widened our lead, placing the race beyond a recount,” Lacore stated to WSAV. She expressed her gratitude to the voters of the Lowcountry, pledging to serve with integrity and results in Congress.

South Carolina’s first district, traditionally a Republican stronghold, witnessed Donald Trump winning by 13 points in 2024. Lacore acknowledged the bipartisan effort in her election, highlighting the call for improvement from Washington. Her campaign amassed $4.8 million, significantly surpassing Honeycutt’s $1.3 million.

Nancy Mace, known for her controversial stance on cultural issues, including anti-transgender views, has held the district since 2021. Mace had previously replaced Democrat Joe Cunningham. She recently finished fifth in the Republican primary for governor.

In August 2025, The New York Times reported that Pete Hegseth dismissed numerous officials, including Lacore. The Department of Defense did not clarify the reasons behind these firings.

Nancy Mace has represented a district associated with notable Republicans like Sen. Tim Scott and former Governor Mark Sanford. The political shift with Lacore’s win signals a significant moment in the district’s history.