In a dramatic political development breaking on the evening of June 9, 2026, Nancy Lacore advanced to a Democratic primary runoff for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District — a race that has quickly become one of the most closely watched contests in the 2026 midterm election cycle. Lacore, a retired three-star Navy admiral who was fired by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, topped a crowded Democratic field and will now head into a runoff on June 23.
Who Is Nancy Lacore?
A Distinguished 35-Year Military Career
Nancy Lacore is not a typical congressional candidate. She spent 35 years serving in the United States Navy, beginning her career as a Navy helicopter pilot before rising through the ranks to become a three-star vice admiral. Her final role was serving as the 16th Chief of the Navy Reserve, commanding a force of approximately 59,000 personnel.
During her storied career, Lacore held command roles at some of the most strategically significant military posts in the world, including the Naval District Washington and Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, as well as postings in Kabul, Afghanistan. She was among the most senior female officers in the United States military.
Fired by Pete Hegseth — “Without Cause”
Lacore’s path to politics began under painful circumstances. On August 22, 2025, she was abruptly removed from her position as Chief of the Navy Reserve by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — exactly one year after she had taken command of the force. She was dismissed alongside other high-profile military officials, including Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Rear Adm. Milton Sands, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command.
Lacore has consistently maintained that her firing was “without cause” and has characterized it as part of a broader Trump administration purge of senior military leadership under the guise of Pentagon reform. The Department of Defense did not publicly comment on her characterization.
In announcing her congressional run in January 2026, Lacore declared: “After decades of service to our country, a career that started as a Navy pilot and finished as a three-star admiral, I was removed from my position without cause. I still have more to give, more to fight for, more work to do — and I am not done serving.”
The June 9, 2026 Primary: What Happened?
A Historic Open-Seat Race
South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District — which stretches along the state’s scenic southeastern coastline and includes Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head Island — has not seen an open-seat primary in years. The vacancy was created when incumbent Republican Rep. Nancy Mace chose not to seek a fourth term, instead running for governor of South Carolina.
The departure of Mace triggered a massive scramble for the seat, drawing 18 total candidates — 11 Republicans and 7 Democrats — making it one of the largest congressional candidate fields in recent South Carolina history. The field included elected officials, military veterans, a Jan. 6 defendant, a bartender, a FedEx courier, and a waiter, reflecting the broad range of ambition the open seat unleashed.
Lacore Leads, Runoff Confirmed
When the polls closed on June 9, 2026, Lacore claimed the top spot in the Democratic primary with approximately 36.5% of the vote, according to unofficial returns. Mac Deford, a local attorney and Coast Guard veteran who previously ran in the 2024 Democratic primary, came in second with nearly 29% of the vote.
Because neither candidate cleared the 50% threshold required under South Carolina law to win outright, both Lacore and Deford advanced to a Democratic primary runoff scheduled for June 23, 2026. The winner of that runoff will become the Democratic nominee for the November 2026 general election.
Nancy Lacore vs. Mac Deford: The June 23 Runoff
Who Is Mac Deford?
Mac Deford is a Coast Guard veteran and local attorney from the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. He ran in the 2024 Democratic primary for the same seat and lost, making this his second bid for the district. He brings both legal and military credentials to the race, and his second-place finish positions him as the chief challenger to Lacore heading into the runoff.
What’s at Stake
The June 23 runoff is effectively the Democratic Party’s audition for the general election. The winner will need to mobilize not just committed Democrats, but also independent and moderate voters in a district with a Cook Political Report rating of R+6 — meaning Republicans hold a structural advantage.
Lacore enters the runoff as the frontrunner, backed by groups including EMILYs List, VoteVets, and Veterans for Responsible Leadership. Her campaign has centered on her decades of military service, her controversial firing by Hegseth, and kitchen-table issues like affordability and coastal resiliency.
Can a Democrat Win South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District?
The Political Landscape
The district is historically competitive at times but leans Republican. President Donald Trump carried it in both 2020 and 2024. The last Democrat to hold the seat for an extended period was in the 1980s, making any Democratic victory here a rare political achievement.
However, Democratic hopes are not unfounded. In 2018, Democrat Joe Cunningham flipped the seat during a Democratic wave year — becoming only the second Democrat to represent the district in over four decades. Democrats believe a similar wave could be possible in 2026 given national political dynamics and voter frustration.
Lacore’s Strategic Argument
Lacore has leaned heavily into her military credentials and her dismissal by Hegseth as central campaign themes. Her supporters argue that her background gives her crossover appeal with veterans, independents, and moderate Republicans who may be unsatisfied with the direction of the Trump administration’s Pentagon policies.
She has also emphasized local economic concerns, stating she wants to prioritize affordability for working families — noting that four of her own children are now in the workforce — as well as coastal resilience for the Lowcountry region.
“My background is going to make me want to ensure we’re taking care of our military families,” she said. “And I think we need to start talking about coastal resiliency here.”
The Broader Context: 2026 Midterms and Military-Turned-Politicians
A Growing Trend of Fired Officials Running for Office
Lacore is part of a broader national trend of military and government officials removed during the Trump administration’s second term who have pivoted to political careers. Her candidacy draws national attention precisely because it puts a human face on the Pentagon purges — and gives voters an opportunity to render a verdict on Hegseth’s actions through the ballot box.
Her race is being watched not just by South Carolina voters, but by national Democrats who see an opportunity to build a narrative around accountability, military respect, and institutional integrity.
What Happens After the Runoff?
After the June 23 Democratic runoff concludes, the nominee — likely either Lacore or Deford — will face the Republican nominee in the November 2026 general election. The Republican primary is also expected to head to a runoff, meaning the full general election matchup will not be known until late June as well.
Key Dates to Watch
- June 9, 2026 — Primary Election Day (Results confirmed Lacore and Deford in runoff)
- June 23, 2026 — Democratic Primary Runoff Election
- November 2026 — General Election, SC-01
Summary: Why This Race Matters
Nancy Lacore’s advancement to the Democratic runoff is significant for several reasons. It signals that voters responded to her military narrative in a crowded field. It demonstrates that the firing of senior military officials by the Trump administration is a live political issue with electoral consequences. And it sets the stage for what could be one of the most competitive House races of the 2026 midterm cycle in the American South.
Whether Lacore can survive the runoff, win the Democratic nomination, and ultimately flip a R+6 district remains to be seen — but her journey from the Pentagon to the campaign trail has already made her one of the most compelling political stories of the year.
Follow this race closely — it could be one of the defining congressional contests of 2026. Drop your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe to stay updated on every development as the June 23 runoff approaches.