CHARLESTON, S.C. (Diya TV) — A retired Navy leader who says she was removed from her post without cause is entering the political arena. Nancy Lacore, a former three-star admiral and chief of the Navy Reserve, announced Tuesday that she is running for Congress in South Carolina’s 1st District. Her campaign adds a high-profile military veteran to a competitive race that could draw national attention in the 2026 midterms. Democrats see the coastal district as a potential pickup in a strong election year for the party.
Lacore served in the U.S. Navy for 35 years. Her career began as a Navy helicopter pilot and ended as a senior leader overseeing the Navy Reserve. She retired last year after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed her from her position in August. In a post on X announcing her campaign, Lacore said she still wants to serve the country.
“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,” she wrote. “I still have more to give, more to fight for, more work to do — and I am not done serving.”
The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment when asked about her claim.
Lacore was removed from her role alongside other senior military leaders last summer. They included Rear Adm. Milton Sands, who led Naval Special Warfare Command, and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Kruse oversaw the DIA’s early assessment of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The Pentagon has not publicly detailed reasons for the removals.
Lacore’s supporters say her record shows decades of leadership and service. Her campaign highlights her experience in national security, military readiness, and crisis management.
South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District includes Charleston and nearby coastal communities. The seat leans Republican but has flipped before. President Donald Trump won the district in both 2020 and 2024. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace currently holds the seat but is running for governor of South Carolina. Her decision opened the race.
Democrats point to 2018 as a model. That year, Democrat Joe Cunningham flipped the district during a wave election as Democrats regained control of the U.S. House. Party leaders believe similar conditions could put the seat in play again, especially with a crowded field on both sides.
Soon after her announcement, Lacore secured key endorsements. EMILYs List, which supports Democratic women candidates, backed her campaign. The Bench, a new Democratic group focused on competitive districts, also endorsed her. Lacore joins a growing Democratic primary field. It includes Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford, who ran in the 2024 Democratic primary and lost. The primary race could focus on military service, leadership, and national security. Those themes resonate strongly in a district with a large veteran population.
Republicans also face a competitive primary ahead of the June election. Several candidates have entered the race. Physician Sam McCown is running, along with state Rep. Mark Smith. Alex Pelbath, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, is also in the field. Pelbath flew the final American flight out of Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2021. The crowded GOP primary could shape the general election by drawing resources and attention early.
Lacore’s entry adds a new dimension to the race. Her military background and removal from office have become central to her message. She frames her run as a continuation of public service. National Democrats are watching closely. Control of the House may hinge on a small number of competitive districts like South Carolina’s 1st.
