By Andy Brack
Looks like the Palmetto State will get at least two new members of Congress in 2026 as two existing ones seem headed toward a Republican gubernatorial battle next June.
On July 27, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, announced he was running for the GOP nomination to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster in Columbia. That frees up Norman’s congressional seat, which already has two candidates in the hunt – Republican state Sen. Wes Climer, who announced Thursday, and Democratic lawyer Alex Harper.
But the 1st Congressional District race is now getting attention with word that the incumbent, GOP U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has announced her bid for governor. Democrats and Republicans are likely to have crowded fields of relatively unknown candidates who will try to win party nominations for the seat, which tilts Republican due to recent gerrymandering that wasn’t found illegal by a federal court.
“Both sides seem to have a shallow bench,” Winthrop University pollster Scott Huffmon said.
Of course, all bets are off among primary candidates if each party’s best-known name in the 1st District runs. For Republicans, that would be former Gov. Nikki Haley, who ran for president in 2024. But the Kiawah Island resident surely would keep her powder dry now for a bigger prize – a possible presidential bid in 2028.
For Democrats, the most popular potential candidate may be former Congressman Joe Cunningham, who narrowly lost to Mace in 2020 and lost a gubernatorial bid two years later.
“All options are on the table,” Cunningham said Thursday, July 31. “I’ve been committed to serving the Lowcountry. Now, I’m fortunate to do that through my law practice. However, I have not shut the door on reentering public life as my passion lies with helping people.”
That’s probably not great news for two Democrats who say they want the seat – Mac Deford, a Mount Pleasant lawyer, and Mayra Rivera Vazquez of Beaufort County, the state Democratic Party’s second vice chair.
Deford said the 1st District race would be one of the most closely watched contests in the country if Mace leaves as expected.
“A Democrat can win here with the right message, the right coalition, and a campaign focused on solving real problems — not chasing headlines,” he said this week in a statement. “Voters are tired of political drama. They want competence and service. That’s why this race is going to surprise people.”
But there is a slew of Republicans who likely will run for the nomination, which could set off a political bloodletting that could make television stations richer.
Three-term GOP S.C. Rep. Mark Smith of Daniel Island confirmed this week that he would run – if Mace steps away.
“I’m 100% in if she’s out and stay tuned for details, coming very soon,” Smith said by phone.
Popular Charleston County Council member Jenny Honeycutt of James Island is seriously looking at running, too – if Mace runs for governor.
“I believe the Lowcountry deserves a proven conservative leader and committed public servant,” she said in an interview. “My family and I are praying about and considering a potential run. It’s on the table. We’ll just have to see how things shake out.”
Other GOP candidates could include Charleston Mayor William Cogswell, who wouldn’t have to give up his seat to run, and Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb.
On a demographic note, 72% of district voters live in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. Just over a quarter live in Beaufort County. Some 55% of voters are women and 79% are white. About 31% are 65 or older.
The psychological center of the district seems to stretch from Goose Creek through North Charleston to Daniel Island. But geographically, the district runs from Daufuskie Island in Beaufort County in the south and squiggles to Summerville, heads to St. Stephen in the north and then turns east to McClellanville at the Charleston County line.
Andy Brack is editor and publisher of the Charleston City Paper and Statehouse Report. Have a comment? Send it to feedback@statehousereport.com.
