SOUTH CAROLINA — Nancy Lacore, a three-star rear admiral in the U.S. Navy and former chief of the U.S. Navy Reserve, advanced to a Democratic primary runoff election for South Carolina's first congressional district. The runoff election is scheduled for June 23.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth dismissed Lacore from her position in August. Lacore had served 35 years in the U.S. Navy prior to her dismissal. Hegseth removed all female nominees and several Black nominees from a recent Navy promotion list. He also directed the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the U.S. military.
Defense Secretary Hegseth stated, "For too long, we've promoted too many uniform leaders for the wrong reasons – based on their race, based on gender quotas, based on historic so-called firsts. The sooner we have the right people, the sooner we can advance the right policies." Lacore campaign funds through late May totaled more than $1.4 million. In her first two weeks as a candidate, she raised $500,000.
Mac Deford, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, advanced to face Lacore in the runoff. candidate Lacore stated, "I still have more to give, more to fight for, more work to do – and I am not done serving." The general election for the seat will take place in November. Republican Nancy Mace, who currently holds the South Carolina first district seat, did not seek re-election and had previously launched an unsuccessful campaign for governor. Mark Smith advanced to a Republican primary runoff election for the same district.