Former three-star admiral and Navy Reserve chief Nancy Lacore has secured the Democratic nomination for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, setting up a general election challenge against incumbent Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. The news was delivered live on air by MSNBC host Jen Psaki during an interview Tuesday.
Abrupt End to Military Career
Lacore, who was fired last year by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, described her dismissal as an abrupt and disorienting experience. “It was an abrupt end. I was one year into what is normally a four-year job, you know, was notified that I was being relieved, effective immediately. I walked out of the Pentagon an hour later — and I struggled to figure out what was next for me,” she recounted.
Despite the sudden termination, Lacore felt compelled to continue serving the country. “But the one thing I couldn’t shake was this feeling that I wasn’t done serving. I thought I was going to be in uniform serving for three more years and decided there’s too much at risk. I can’t sit on the sidelines. I can serve differently,” she said. Lacore launched her congressional campaign in January.
Primary Victory and General Election Prospects
Lacore defeated Mac Deford in the Democratic primary. Before learning of her victory, she expressed confidence that a Democrat could appeal to voters in the district, citing widespread dissatisfaction with the Trump administration. “I think the fact that every day we turn the TV on and this administration is doing something that harms Americans helps, right? People are fed up with this administration. And … I focus on what matters to everybody in this district … the cost of living, affordability,” Lacore explained.
President Donald Trump has frequently dismissed affordability concerns, even as his administration launched a costly and deeply unpopular war with Iran. Lacore noted that her district has “a huge veteran population” of “fed up” individuals who approach her about these issues “in tears.”
Criticism of Hegseth and War Spending
Lacore also criticized Hegseth’s request for an additional $80 billion from Congress to cover war costs, calling it “predictable” and “unacceptable.” She stated, “I think that’s just the way this whole administration has been running. They think there’s just an open checkbook, and they can keep doing what they feel like, and then they’re just going to get it all covered. And it’s just more of the same from this administration.”
She argued that Hegseth’s ongoing purge of senior military officials amid a major conflict sends “a very clear message” that current and future service members “are not wanted,” damaging not only the armed forces but “our whole country.” Lacore added, “And as you can see, it hasn’t gone so well.”
Focus on Flipping the Seat
With the nomination secured, Lacore now turns her attention to the general election in November, aiming to flip the Republican-held seat in this year’s midterm elections. Her campaign has gained momentum following the primary win, and she plans to continue emphasizing kitchen-table issues like cost of living and affordability.
