Democrat Nancy Lacore Wins SC 1st District Congressional Race After Honeycutt Concedes

Democrat Nancy Lacore wins South Carolina 1st District after Honeycutt concession

Mount Pleasant, S.C. — The Lowcountry's political balance changed decisively Wednesday as Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt conceded the 1st Congressional District race to Democrat Nancy Lacore, flipping a seat held by the GOP since 2020. The concession came less than 24 hours after polls closed, with the margin leaving little doubt about the outcome, The Post and Courier reported. Lacore, a retired Navy vice admiral, is poised to become the next U.S. representative for the sprawling coastal district that includes Charleston and its suburbs.

The race was defined by its tight finish. According to the South Carolina Election Commission, Lacore secured 49.65% of the vote to Honeycutt’s 48.64%, a difference of just 3,308 votes out of 326,012 cast. The 1.01-percentage-point lead was slightly above the threshold that triggers an automatic recount in South Carolina, a standard procedure for races decided by 1% or less. For thousands of voters in the Lowcountry, the result meant a change in representation and a new voice in Congress, one with a unique background in national security.

A Navy Leader Takes the Helm

A retired Navy vice admiral, she moved to Mount Pleasant in 2025 after being fired as Chief of Navy Reserve by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. At her Nov. 4 press conference in Mount Pleasant, surrounded by supporters and the scrawled plans on white boards that guided her campaign, Lacore struck a tone of unity.

LIVE: Nancy Lacore speaks for first time after close race for SC’s 1st Congressional District

“This campaign has never been about me. It has always been about the Lowcountry,” Honeycutt said in a social media post at 2:17 a.m. on Nov. 4, after expressing gratitude for the support she received.

Democrat Nancy Lacore Wins SC 1st District Congressional Race After Honeycutt Concedes — Photo: yahoo.com

Lacore, speaking to reporters, echoed that sentiment of cooperation while also signaling a desire for change.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy everywhere, but we also knew that South Carolinians are frustrated, they’re tired and they’re looking for some change,” she said.

Congratulations to future U. S. Representative Nancy Lacore, SC-1; It's time to turn SC blue! 🎉💙 pic.twitter.com/6tffuI6JgX

— https://x.com/scdp/status/2069602978139378107

Libertarian Candidate Influenced Election Outcome

The race’s outcome was not decided by Democrats and Republicans alone. Libertarian candidate Bill Reeside of Edisto Island, who garnered 5,346 votes, played a role. His votes represented a significant portion of the turnout that separated the two major party candidates. Reeside, reflecting on his campaign’s impact, told The Post and Courier he didn’t see himself as a “spoiler.” In fact, he was “naive” to believe voters would break from their traditional affiliations.

“I spoke to literally thousands of people during this campaign, knocking on doors, standing at polls, and it’s very clear that people will not leave their Democrat or Republican tribe,” Reeside said. For the Lowcountry, the result was a win for Lacore after a tight finish in which she was separated from Honeycutt by about 1.01 percentage point.

The final numbers tell a story of a district on the knife’s edge. The margin between Lacore and Honeycutt was narrow, a fact shown by the reported margin being slightly above the 1% threshold for an automatic recount. The state Board of Canvassers must still certify the results, a process scheduled for Friday, but Honeycutt’s concession has effectively ended the race. Her campaign did not immediately return calls, but her social media post expressed gratitude for the support she received, focusing on the people of the Lowcountry rather than the defeat.

What’s Next for the 1st District

The impending transition carries significant weight for South Carolina’s 1st District. The seat was previously held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who opted not to seek reelection after an unsuccessful run for governor. Mace, in a statement Wednesday, pledged to help ensure a smooth handover, emphasizing that “serving our constituents comes FIRST.” Her cooperation with Lacore could help minimize disruption as the new representative prepares to take office.

Recount? Democrats hold a slight lead in tight 1st Congressional District

Lacore’s victory has national implications, flipping a key House seat in a state that has trended red in recent years. For businesses in Charleston and surrounding areas, the change could mean a different approach on issues like infrastructure funding, defense spending, and environmental policy.

As the state prepares for the certification of results, the focus shifts to what a Lacore-led congressional agenda might look like. The voters of the 1st District have sent a message: they want representation that reflects their diverse needs.

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