For the first time in four years, South Carolina’s first Congressional district will not have an incumbent running for reelection. Rep. Nancy Mace (R) who beat out former Rep. Joe Cunningham (D) back in 2020.
Since 2023, redistricting redrew the district lines with District 1 now stretching to Moncks Corner, McClellanville, and Summerville in the north, running down through Awendaw, Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant, James Island, Folly Island, John’s Island, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Edisto Beach, Beaufort, with Hilton Head Island and Bluffton to its southernmost tip.
Incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace (R) has declined to run for a fourth term, and has filed to run in a contested race to become the South Carolina Republican Party’s nominee for governor. With Mace effectively resigning from Congress, the race to fill her seat has already begun to heat up.
Democratic Candidates
South Carolina Democrats have a tricky race ahead of them. Lowcountry attorney Joe Cunningham was able to flip SC-01 blue after running against former state representative Katie Arrington, who won the Republican Primary against former governor and then-representative Mark Sanford (R).
Sanford had been critical of the first Trump administration, and to many his loss in the Republican primary was a signal of how successful Republican politicians could be if they strayed from Trump.
Cunningham was able to successfully flip a Republican-held seat against Arrington, but lost in a highly competitive race to state Rep. Nancy Mace (R) who won reelection twice in 2022 and 2024. Any Democratic candidate will face the challenge of flipping a gerrymandered district that skews towards Republicans.
Mac Deford
US Coast Guard veteran, former law enforcement officer, and attorney Mac Deford announced his candidacy for Congress early on in the election cycle in August of 2025.
Deford previously ran for Congress in 2024, coming up around 700 votes short in the Democratic primary. Democratic candidate Michael Moore won the nomination, and came short 17 percentage points to incumbent Nancy Mace.
Deford has touted his background as a law enforcement officer in the Coast Guard and a graduate of the Citadel, the Charleston School of Law, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Deford’s previous work in public service includes his time as a legal advisor for the towns of Hilton Head and Mount Pleasant, leading housing initiatives and securing funding for FEMA beach re-nourishment programs.
If elected to Congress, Deford has pledged to prioritize assisting Americans with rising costs associated with Trump tariffs. Deford’s campaign website outlines a platform of expanding housing supply, promoting affordable housing, lowering healthcare and prescription drug costs.
On government oversight, Deford outlines pledges to reassert Congressional authority over trade and tariffs, and to uphold due process. Deford opposes the “misuse of military forces on U.S. soil.” Deford has also outlined his support for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress.
Full platform and issues can be found on the candidate’s website.
Max Diaz
Hanahan resident and gen-Z candidate Max Diaz was born in Buffalo, NY before moving to the Lowcountry in 2012.
Diaz is a graduate of Hanahan High School, Trident Technical College, and Southern Illinois University. He specialized in engineering and aviation technology before going on to earn a pilot’s license and working in mechanical and general aviation.
He has touted his working class roots as a key component of who he is as a candidate.
In a questionnaire done by Ballotpedia, Diaz cites his key three messages as transparency and honesty, a pragmatic approach to service, and bipartisanship in support of working class constituents.
Diaz has been seen at frequent events hosted by local Democrats, making appearances at forums as well as his own town Halls. Campaign finance reports show Diaz has raised a little over $1,000.
His full platform is available on his website.
Matt Fulmer
Hilton Head Island waiter Matthew “Matt” Fulmer entered the campaign pledging to work for working-class families.
This is Fulmer’s first race but he claims his decision stems from economic pressure facing residents of the Lowcountry. Fulmer cited that the majority of Congressional representatives are not working-class citizens, and that they lack the perspective of the average constituent.
Fulmer’s background in hospitality in the last decade positions him uniquely against other candidates with backgrounds in law or public office, yet he cites this perspective as a critical component of what will allow him to advocate for working class families.
Fulmer’s platform is built around breaking up monopolization, which he cites as increasing the cost of living. On housing, Fulmer expressed support for limiting corporate-investment on single-family homes. Fulmer supports single-payer healthcare, investment in public education, and rejecting donations from large political action committees, or PACs.
His full platform can be found on his website.
Nancy Lacore
Nancy Lacore served for thirty-five years in the Navy as the 93rd commandant of Naval District Washington, the director of the Maritime Partnership Program, and the vice commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet. She received the highest rank of Vice Admiral before being removed from office by Secretary of War (previously Defense) Pete Hegseth in 2025.
Lacore graduated from the College of Holy Cross, San Diego State University, the Air Command and Staff College, and the National Defense University at the Joint Forces Staff College.
While serving in the Navy, Lacore commanded tours in Florida, Alabama, Michigan, and Virginia, as well as overseas in Afghanistan and Djibouti. She received the Legion of Merit Award, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.
Although initially a Republican, Lacore cites her background as a woman in the Navy and a mother of six as influencing her changing views. Lacore initially moved to Charleston with the intent to retire, but her removal as Chief of the Navy Reserve by Pete Hegseth changed her trajectory.
As a veteran, Lacore has stated her intentions improving and modernizing the VA healthcare system’s information systems, including expanding telehealth options.
On housing and affordability, Lacore believes in changing zoning to prioritize multi-family units. Lacore believes in preventing equity firms from buying single family homes.
Lacore believes in childcare tax credits, specifically awarding credits monthly instead of annually. She has expressed support for tax credits for caregivers to incentivize also. She supports restoring ACA tax credits, expanding options for public healthcare.
The former admiral has raised concerns about political interference in the military, promoting equality, and prioritizing the rights of citizens.
Lacore’s full platform is available on her website.
Mayra Rivera-Vázquez
Before announcing her campaign for the first congressional district, 63-year old Mayra Rivera-Vázquez lived in the Lowcountry for 14 years.
Rivera-Vázquez holds background roles in legal, infrastructure, and economic roles. Rivera-Vázquez was the chair of the Beaufort County Democratic Party and a consultant on Sen. Mia McLeod’s gubernatorial campaign in 2022. She served as the 2nd Vice Chair of the S.C. Democratic Party.
One of the major focuses of Rivera-Vázquez is economic reform. She cites rising costs in healthcare, housing, and the loss of affordability as some of the central issues in her campaign. Mayra’s platform is based on advocating for protections for social security, eliminating tax breaks for the rich, and fully funding universal pre-K.
As a former legal assistant at an immigration law firm, Rivera-Vázquez has advocated along the campaign trail for reforms to the Federal immigration system.
Her full platform is available on her website.
If you are currently 18, or you will turn 18 before November 5, 2026 you are eligible to register to vote, and vote in the primaries. South Carolina does NOT have same day registration, and you must be registered to vote by May 10, 2026. Register to vote here.
Early voting for the primary elections begins May 26.
