Democratic candidates head to runoff in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District race
Lacore and Deford advance after neither candidate secures majority in primary
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WTOC) - Two Democratic candidates are headed to a runoff in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District race after neither secured a majority in the primary.
Nancy Lacore topped the ballot with about 40% of the vote. Mac Deford finished second.
Lacore, a 35-year Navy veteran, is running for public office for the first time.
Deford ran for South Carolina’s 1st District House seat in 2024 and fell short in the primary.
“They’re not partisan issues. Everybody is hurting financially right now with the cost of living. It’s not just Democrats. It’s Republicans independence you name it same for taking care of our military and our and veterans,” Lacore said.
Deford said voters are focused on representation over party affiliation.
“I don’t think that they are giving as much weight to are you a republican or a Democrat they just wanna know are you gonna fight for them and I absolutely am gonna fight for the people of the first congressional district,” Deford said.
Seven candidates on the ballot
Seven Democratic candidates were on the ballot Tuesday in the primary race for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, a seat Republicans have held for decades.
The last Democrat to hold the seat was in 2018. Republicans have represented the district since 1981.
Redistricting decision impacts race
A large factor in this year’s primary was the potential for redistricting in the state. The proposed congressional map would have given Democratic candidates a better chance in November. However, the state Senate voted not to redistrict. District 1 candidates are working to earn votes from a majority Republican population.
Candidate field
Of the seven candidates seeking to flip the seat, five are political newcomers. Two candidates have run for the seat before.
Ben Fraser has run over a dozen times since 1972 and received the Democratic nomination in 2010. He lost to Tim Scott in the general election.
Mac Deford ran for the seat in 2024 but fell short of winning the primary.
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