Fired by Hegseth, now headed for a runoff: Navy admiral’s political comeback gains steam

A retired Navy vice admiral fired by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is now on track for a runoff election in the South Carolina Democratic primary.

Former three-star vice admiral Nancy Lacore, a 35-year military veteran, was removed by Hegseth during President Donald Trump’s first year back in office. Lacore called the move “without cause” in a video launching her campaign for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. That vacant seat is Congress was left by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who launched a bid for governor of the state.

“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,” Lacore said in her video earlier this year.

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.

Join my team at… pic.twitter.com/Sv2TI62Pyj

— Nancy Lacore (@nancylacore) January 20, 2026

Tuesday’s primary left no candidate with more than 50% of the vote, and now Lacore will head to a June 23 runoff election against attorney Mac Deford.

“Once having cleared the primary, the final candidate will look to become just the second Democrat to hold South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in over 40 years by highlighting her military record as well as how she was removed from her post by War Secretary Pete Hegseth,” Fox News noted. “To turn the tables and flip the seat, Lacore has pitched herself as an anti-politics civil servant.”

Democratic Primary:
2026 South Carolina U.S. House 1

✅ | 🟢 | Lacore | 8,238 | 38.27%
✅ | 🟣 | Deford | 6,321 | 29.36%
🔵 | Frazier | 2,065 | 9.59%

Lacore and Deford advance to a runoff.

36% in pic.twitter.com/AOoBm9SzI1

— U.S. Politics HQ (@USPolitcsHQ) June 10, 2026

“Lacore has the backing of multiple veterans-affiliated political groups, including VoteVets and Veterans for Responsible Leadership. EMILYs List, which aims to elect Democratic pro-choice women, also endorsed her,” according to The Hill. “Upon launching her campaign in January, Lacore said that she ‘never put the uniform on again’ after departing the Pentagon on the day of her ouster. “

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