Nancy Lacore and Mac Deford advanced from the June 9 Democratic primary for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, splitting roughly 65% of the vote and triggering a June 23 runoff after no candidate reached a majority in a crowded seven-person field. Lacore, a retired three-star Navy admiral and former chief of the Navy Reserve with 35 years of service, benefits from strong name recognition and military credentials that resonate in the Lowcountry district. Deford, a Mount Pleasant attorney and 2024 primary veteran, draws on local networks and prior campaign infrastructure. With the remaining vote fragmented among lower-polling candidates now eliminated, the tight trader pricing reflects uncertainty over how those supporters consolidate in the runoff, where turnout patterns, endorsements, and last-minute campaigning could determine the nominee.