Retired Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, a 35-year Navy veteran who was removed from her post as Chief of Navy Reserve by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in August 2025, announced her candidacy for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District as a Democrat.
Lacore stated in on social media: “After decades of service to our country, a career that started as a Navy pilot and finished as a three-star admiral, I was removed from my position without cause. I still have more to give, more to fight for, more work to do — and I am not done serving.”
After decades of service to our country, a career that started as a Navy pilot and finished as a three star admiral, I was removed from my position without cause.
— Nancy Lacore (@nancylacore) January 20, 2026
I still have more to give, more to fight for, more work to do — and I am not done serving.
Join my team at… pic.twitter.com/Sv2TI62Pyj
Lacore was dismissed along with Rear Admiral Milton Sands, who led Naval Special Warfare Command, and Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. The Defense Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Lacore’s claim of removal without cause.
South Carolina’s 1st District, which includes Charleston and leans Republican, was won by Trump in 2020 and 2024. It is currently represented by Republican Representative Nancy Mace, who is running for governor.
Democrats view the seat as potentially competitive, citing the 2018 election when Democrat Joe Cunningham flipped it during a Democratic wave year.
Lacore has received endorsements from EMILYs List, a group focused on electing women to office, and The Bench, a Democratic organization supporting candidates in competitive districts.
Meet Nancy Lacore.
— The Bench (@ElectTheBench) January 20, 2026
Nancy began her career as a Navy pilot and ended as a three star admiral. Now she’s ready to bring her years of service and leadership to South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.
If we’re going to win everywhere, we need Nancy at the helm. pic.twitter.com/LqBBalMQWJ
She joins a Democratic primary field that includes Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford, who lost the 2024 primary.
Republican candidates include physician Sam McCown, state Representative Mark Smith, and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Alex Pelbath, who flew the final U.S. flight out of Kabul in 2021.
No immediate response from Hegseth’s office or the Defense Department was available following Lacore’s announcement.
