Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore launched her 2026 Democratic bid for South Carolina’s 1st District after her 2025 dismissal by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, a 35-year Navy veteran and former chief of the Navy Reserve, has launched her 2026 Democratic campaign for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, citing her August 2025 dismissal by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as unjust and without explanation. She entered the race after Rep. Nancy Mace, the incumbent, announced her run for governor. Lacore, a three-star admiral and helicopter pilot, emphasized her military service and commitment to public service, drawing endorsements from EMILYs List and The Bench. The district, which includes Charleston and has leaned Republican in recent elections, now features a competitive Democratic primary with multiple candidates, including Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford. On the Republican side, several candidates, including physician Sam McCown and Air Force veteran Alex Pelbath, are also running. The Defense Department has not publicly addressed Lacore’s claims.