U.S. House of Representatives District 1 in Congressional District 1, South Carolina

2026 Primary Election

• Daniel J Brown — Lobbyist in SC

  Daniel J. Brown, also known as Dan, has a professional background in Washington D.C. He has been registered as a lobbyist or foreign agent, working with various organizations and lobbying firms for clients. He is also associated with Prime Policy Group. His professional history includes serving as a congressional aide, with salary records for this role available. The provided information does not detail his policy positions, specific reasons for seeking office, current residence, or political party affiliation.

• James L Byars — Dorchester County Councilman and Small Business Owner in SC

  Jay Byars is a Republican candidate for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election. He holds degrees from Clemson University and the University of Georgia, and previously taught science and coached baseball in Dorchester public schools. Byars later entered mortgage banking and founded small businesses including Long Leaf Storage and Good Faith Caregivers. Currently a Dorchester County Councilman, he advocates for an "America First" agenda by prioritizing the "Lowcountry first," backing Donald Trump on issues like border security, fiscal responsibility, and defending faith and family. He emphasizes "no drama, just results" and seeks to restore trust in leadership.

• Logan S Cunningham — Beaufort County councilman in SC

  Logan Cunningham is a Republican candidate running for the U.S. House to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the June 9, 2026 primary. He currently serves as a Beaufort County councilman, a role he undertook after leaving a career in education six years prior to pursue public service. His campaign is driven by a "Lowcountry First" mission, with policy priorities including preserving natural resources, limiting overdevelopment, and advocating for local issues like teacher pay and infrastructure. Cunningham identifies as a new generation conservative, shaped by the Trump movement, aiming to bring his experience delivering local results to Washington.

• Francina D Dantzler — Educator in Beaufort, SC

  Francina Dantzler is a Democratic candidate running for the U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the June 9, 2026 primary election. A Beaufort-area resident, she is a longtime educator with 30 years of experience, including 28 years in South Carolina and two in Georgia, where she advocated for students. Dantzler is making her first run for public office, emphasizing "people-first policies." She believes her extensive background in education and her personal lived perspective have prepared her for this role.

• William M Deford — Attorney in SC

  Mac Deford, a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran, former law enforcement officer, and attorney, is campaigning for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in 2026. He earned a law degree and an MBA, then served as a legal advisor for Mount Pleasant and Hilton Head Island, contributing to workforce housing and beach renourishment. His platform includes upgrading infrastructure, protecting Social Security/Medicare, housing affordability, veterans' issues, and smart economic policy. He advocates for common-sense firearm safety, mental health services, rolling back tariffs, and supporting American workers. Deford emphasizes a practical, non-partisan approach to solve problems and put service above self.

• Max Eliot Diaz — Aircraft Mechanic and Pilot in Hanahan, SC

  Max Eliot Diaz is a 25-year-old Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District. An aircraft mechanic and pilot with a blue-collar background, he advocates for progressive policies. His platform includes shifting the tax burden from wealth to work, removing the Social Security payroll tax cap, establishing universal healthcare, and investing in clean energy technologies to achieve energy independence. Diaz emphasizes problem-solving and aims to fix a broken system, focusing on good policy for working people and the middle class.

• Tyler Dykes — Retired U.S. Marine in Bluffton, SC

  Tyler Dykes, a retired U.S. Marine and Bluffton native, is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House, representing South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 primary. His platform focuses on conservative policies, including banning DEI/Critical Race Theory, deporting undocumented immigrants, ending property tax, lowering income tax, and bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. He advocates for cutting foreign aid, ending Middle East involvement, and implementing government reforms like congressional term limits and a ban on stock trading for members of Congress. Dykes' campaign has also drawn attention due to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.

• Margo Ellis — Founder and CEO, EELA Solutions in Beaufort, SC

  Margo Ellis, an Alliance Party candidate, is seeking election to the U.S. House to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 general election. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Ellis brings a diverse background to her campaign. She is the founder and CEO of EELA Solutions and previously served as a Commissioner for the City and County of San Francisco from 2018 to 2020. Her extensive education includes degrees from Penn State University, Academy of Art University, Georgetown University, and Park University, covering political science, cinematography, public relations, and business. She advanced from the Alliance Party convention on April 25, 2026.

• Benjamin Frasier — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in SC

  Benjamin Frasier Jr., born around 1942, is a long-standing political figure in South Carolina. A perennial candidate, he has sought congressional office over fifteen times since 1972. He previously served as an aide to Congressman L. Mendel Rivers. In 2010, he surprisingly became the Democratic nominee for South Carolina's 1st congressional district. Frasier's frequent candidacies have drawn criticism for potentially impacting other contenders and for allegations of not campaigning seriously. He was also subject to a complaint regarding a failure to file disclosure reports and once faced questions about his residency, which were ultimately resolved. He is currently running for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 1 for 2026.

• Matthew Fulmer — Waiter in Hilton Head Island, SC

  Matthew Fulmer is a Hilton Head Island waiter running for U.S. House in South Carolina, District 1. A native of Columbia, South Carolina, he was educated in public schools and raised in a middle-class family. Fulmer's campaign is rooted in his lived experience and the struggles of everyday Americans facing high costs for rent, healthcare, and housing, while corporations make record profits. He aims to represent normal people, not political insiders or corporate interests. His platform includes combating corporate consolidation, supporting unions, modernizing education, limiting money in politics, and tax policies that benefit working families. He advocates for healthcare as a right and homes for families, not investors, seeking to build an America committed to all its people.

• Jenny Costa Honeycutt — Incumbent Charleston County Council - District 9 in Charleston, SC

  Jenny Costa Honeycutt is a lifelong Lowcountry resident, attorney, small business owner, wife, and mother, currently serving on the Charleston County Council for District 9. She earned degrees from Meredith University and a law degree from the University of South Carolina, later founding her own private law practice. Honeycutt is running for Congress as an unapologetic conservative, committed to serious, solid leadership. Her policy stances include advocating for the unborn, protecting free speech, safeguarding religious liberty, supporting law enforcement, securing the border, and fighting wasteful government spending. She aims to advance an America First agenda, strengthen the economy, support small businesses, and protect families.

• Nancy S Lacore — Retired Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy in SC

  Nancy S. Lacore is a retired United States Navy officer and political candidate for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. A three-star admiral, she served 35 years, starting as a helicopter pilot and culminating as Chief of Navy Reserve (2024-2025). She previously led Naval District Washington (2022-2024). Married with six children, she earned numerous military awards, including the Legion of Merit, and accumulated 1300 flight hours. Lacore announced her candidacy in January 2026, driven by a desire to address rising costs, national security, and political dysfunction. She advocates for a lower cost of living for families, seniors, veterans, and young Americans, promising integrity, teamwork, and mission-first leadership.

• Kendal R Ludden — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Charleston, SC

  Kendal Ludden is a Republican candidate for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 U.S. House primary. Previously, Ludden ran as a Libertarian for South Carolina State Senate District 20 in 2024. Ludden's platform emphasizes government reform, advocating for reduced government power, and a strong defense of the 2nd Amendment. Fiscal proposals include lowering the county sales tax rate to 1.5% and introducing a 10% sales tax for non-resident visitors to South Carolina, aiming to reduce income, property, and sales taxes while cutting expenses.

• John Samuel Mccown — Physician and Medical Administrator in Charleston, SC

  Sam McCown is a Republican physician and medical administrator running for the U.S. House to represent South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 primary. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and a medical degree from Medical University of South Carolina. McCown worked as a physician, focusing on women's cancer treatment, and served in medical administration. He supports policies such as protecting life, a federal balanced budget amendment, securing the southern border, and modernizing the military, while also committing to champion President Donald J. Trump's agenda. He currently serves as president for the Medical University of South Carolina's College of Medicine Alumni Association Board of Directors.

• Alexander Pelbath — Retired Colonel in SC

  Alex Pelbath is a Republican candidate for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in 2026. He retired as a Colonel after 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, having earned a bachelor's from the Air Force Academy and an MBA. His command of the final U.S. military plane out of Afghanistan in 2021 was a pivotal experience, motivating his run for office to counter career politicians and advocate for new leadership. Pelbath identifies as a Trump Republican with strong conservative values, championing securing the border, stopping the fentanyl crisis, boosting the economy, protecting parental rights in education, and rebuilding the military. He is married with two children.

• William O Reeside — Retired nuclear engineer and community servant in Edisto Beach, SC

  William Reeside is a retired nuclear engineer who earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia. After a long career in the nuclear power and research industries, he joined Habitat for Humanity of York County. He and his wife have resided in South Carolina for nearly two decades, owning a home in Edisto Beach since 2004. A father of three and grandfather of five, Reeside is running for Congress on a platform focused on restoring the constitutional balance of power, bringing fiscal responsibility back to federal spending, and fighting for the Lowcountry. He aims to bring a practical leader's perspective and a servant's heart to Washington.

• Cynthia W Riley — Candidate for U.s. House of Representatives in SC

  No information about Cynthia W Riley's background, policy positions, or reasons for running for office is available in the provided search results. The document focuses on Richard W. Riley, a former Governor of South Carolina and Secretary of Education, and his extensive career.

• Mayra Rivera Vazquez — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Bluffton, SC

  Mayra Rivera Vazquez is a proven leader and lifelong advocate for equity, rooted in values of hard work and service instilled by her Puerto Rican parents. A South Carolina Lowcountry resident for nearly two decades and spouse of a U.S. Army veteran, she is the first Latina to run for U.S. Congress in SC's 1st District. Rivera Vazquez is campaigning on affordability, healthcare, and economic opportunity, aiming to support working families and small businesses, improve veteran health services, protect reproductive freedom, fund public education, advocate for immigration reform, and defend voting rights. She seeks to be a voice for those feeling ignored and to ensure real representation.

• Marshall C Sanford — Author in SC

  Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is a Republican politician from South Carolina. He has a notable history in public service, having served as the U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2001 and again from 2013 to 2019. He also held the office of the 115th Governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011. Sanford previously sought the Republican nomination in the 2020 United States presidential election. While he filed to run for U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district in March 2026, he withdrew from the race a month later, citing a desire to focus on fighting the national debt. He is also identified as an author.

• Marvin Matthew Smith — Incumbent Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives in SC

  Marvin "Mark" M. Smith is a Republican politician and businessman currently serving as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for District 99 since 2020. He was born in Bamberg, South Carolina, in 1970 and is an owner and president of several funeral homes. Smith previously served on the Mount Pleasant Town Council. He is campaigning for the U.S. House of Representatives for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in 2026. His platform emphasizes conservative principles, including protecting life, defending the Second Amendment, strengthening the economy by tackling inflation, making energy affordable and independent, securing the border, and supporting veterans and military families. He aims to reduce traffic and cut wasteful spending.