04.11.2026 14:30
Former admiral Nancy Lacore, who was dismissed in 2025 by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, has taken the lead over her Republican rival Jenny Costa Honeycutt in the congressional election she entered as a Democrat in South Carolina. While it draws attention that Lacore, known for her harsh criticism of the Trump administration, is narrowly ahead, there is a possibility that the election results will go to a recount.
One of the most notable races in the U.S. congressional midterm elections held on November 3 took place in the state of South Carolina. Former Navy Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, whom the Donald Trump administration dismissed in 2025, faced Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt in the House of Representatives election in which she ran as the Democratic Party candidate. Lacore, who was running in a district previously controlled by Republicans, drew attention by moving ahead of her opponent in the vote count.
DISMISSED, ENTERED POLITICS Nancy Lacore, who served 35 years in the U.S. Navy, began her career as a helicopter pilot. Rising to the rank of three-star admiral, Lacore assumed the post of Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command in August 2024.
However, Lacore was dismissed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in August 2025. In the same period, Naval Special Warfare Commander Milton Sands and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Jeffrey Kruse were also removed from their posts.
The Pentagon did not provide the public with an official reason for Lacore's dismissal. Lacore later said in statements that she was not informed why she was removed from her post.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth RAN IN A DISTRICT CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS After her military career ended, Lacore entered politics and announced her candidacy for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District from the Democratic Party in January 2026.
Lacore's opponent was Republican Party candidate Jenny Costa Honeycutt. The district's previous representative, Nancy Mace, had left her seat in Congress to run in the gubernatorial election.
The Democratic candidate's strong showing in a district that Republicans won by more than 16 points in the 2024 elections was one of the notable developments of election night.
VOTES MAY BE RECOUNTED According to unofficial results announced on the night of November 3, Nancy Lacore was 0.7 points ahead of her Republican opponent at a stage when about 98 percent of votes had been counted. Because the gap between the two candidates fell below 2,400 votes, a recount of the race came onto the agenda.
In South Carolina, a recount is conducted in elections where the vote margin is 1 percent or less. Therefore, although Lacore's leading the race is noteworthy, the official process must be completed before a definitive victory can be declared.
DREW ATTENTION WITH HER CRITICISM OF HEGSETH Throughout her election campaign, Lacore criticized U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's management approach and the Trump administration's military policy toward Iran.
It is also noteworthy that if the former admiral enters Congress, she could have a say in debates on defense policies. However, whether an impeachment process will be initiated against Hegseth or whether Lacore will participate in such a vote is not a finalized development at this stage.