Fired Navy Admiral Advances to Dem Runoff in SC-1

Former Navy Reserve chief Nancy Lacore, fired in Pete Hegseth’s purge of senior officers, advanced to a June 23 Democratic runoff for South Carolina’s 1st District against Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford. With the seat open as Republican Nancy Mace runs for governor, Democrats face an uphill battle in a district Mace has won by double digits. Lacore has strong fundraising and backing from veterans groups and EMILY’s List, having raised over $1.4 million by late May, as part of a broader pattern of leadership purges critics say targeted women and people of color.