South Carolina — 1st District

CHARLESTON — South Carolina’s wide open 1st Congressional District is in the center of the Lowcountry action this election season, with heated primary contests on both sides of the aisle.

Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is not seeking reelection as she runs for governor, leaving 10 Republicans and seven Democrats vying to succeed her.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford briefly entered the race to reclaim the seat he once held, only to suspend his campaign a month later. Despite dropping out, his name will appear on the June 9 Republican primary ballot.

If no candidate secures a majority in their respective primaries — a likely outcome in two crowded contests — the top two finishers will advance to a June 23 runoff.

The coastal seat stretches from the Charleston region to Beaufort and Hilton Head.

Republicans

Nearly all of the Republican candidates participated in a forum hosted by the Berkeley County and Dorchester County Republican parties. Their answers during that April 16 event and public statements helped inform the profiles below.

Dan Brown

Dan Brown says his time working on Capitol Hill convinced him Congress has become too focused on political theater and not enough on solving problems.

The former legislative aide for U.S. Rep. William Timmons spent five years in Washington before returning to Bluffton with his wife to start a family. He said becoming a father crystallized his decision to enter politics.

Brown frequently returns to concerns about the national debt, government accountability and congressional dysfunction.

Jay Byars

The Dorchester County councilman is running on a message rooted in growth, infrastructure and quality-of-life concerns in the Lowcountry.

Byars, of Summerville, argues that local governments have been left without the resources needed to keep pace with rapid population growth. He said the Lowcountry needs a stronger advocate in Washington.

He frequently points to unfinished road projects as evidence that federal and state governments have failed to adequately invest in one of the nation's fastest-growing regions.

Tyler Dykes

Tyler Dykes is running as one of the race's most unapologetically anti-establishment candidates.

Dykes, who attended the Jan. 6, 2021, rally at the U.S. Capitol and later received a pardon from President Donald Trump, argues that political and economic elites have undermined the country's interests.

His campaign has focused heavily on immigration, nationalism and opposition to foreign involvement abroad.

Dykes, of Bluffton, has called for ending all immigration and argued that Muslims should be barred from entering the United States, saying America is a Christian nation.

Logan Cunningham

Beaufort County Councilman Logan Cunningham casts himself as the Republican Party's next generation of leadership.

A former teacher and business operator, Cunningham frequently emphasizes his experience in local government. He credits President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for getting him interested in running for political office himself.

Cunningham, of Bluffton, argues that the Republican Party was transformed by Trump and says he entered the race because he believes that movement must continue after Trump leaves office.

Jenny Costa Honeycutt

Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Costa Honeycutt of James Island, says her campaign is rooted in a challenge many Lowcountry families know firsthand: affordability.

The attorney and girls’ volleyball coach said she decided to run after her son and daughter-in-law chose to leave the Charleston area because they could no longer afford to stay.

Honeycutt describes herself as a problem solver rather than a political ideologue, pointing to her experience balancing budgets, supporting law enforcement and serving in local government. But she also calls herself “an unapologetic conservative” and an “America First” Republican.

Kendal Ludden

As a certified public accountant, Kendal Ludden is running for Congress arguing that voters should send a financial investigator — not another politician — to Washington.

Ludden, of Charleston, brands himself as the "D.O.G.E. of South Carolina" and says his professional experience tracing money and auditing financial records would help identify government waste and fraud.

“If you'd like to know what I stand for, simply read the Constitution,” his website states.

Sam McCown

Sam McCown says Washington's problems stem from repeatedly electing the same kinds of politicians.

The radiologist and businessman describes himself as a political outsider who has worked across multiple industries, including medicine, construction, real estate and investing.

He says he’s the only candidate in the race who can say he is a political outsider, a doctor, an engineer and a businessman.

McCown, of Daniel Island, has centered his campaign on term limits, reducing federal spending and reforming government.

Alex Pelbath

Alex Pelbath is making military leadership the centerpiece of his campaign.

The retired Air Force colonel spent 22 years in the Air Force, including assignments at the Pentagon and command positions at Joint Base Charleston. He flew the final American flight out of Kabul role during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and talks about that moment as a defining moment in his career.

He says he has seen the playbook from the left and that Christian conservative values are under attack.

Pelbath, of Mount Pleasant, argues the country is facing growing national-security threats abroad and cultural challenges at home. He has positioned himself as a candidate focused on defense, military readiness and American competitiveness.

Cindy Wagers Riley

Cindy Wagers Riley is campaigning as an outsider focused on practical problem-solving rather than partisan politics.

A longtime health care professional, Riley references lessons learned from her parents — a game warden and a banker — and says those experiences shaped her views on responsibility and financial management.

Riley, of Pinopolis, has focused on government spending, fiscal discipline and personal accountability. She argues that many of Washington's problems stem from leaders failing to apply common-sense principles.

Her mantra is don't lie, don't cheat, don't steal, be nice and “make your mama proud.”

Mark Smith

The Bamberg native and longtime funeral home owner frequently points to his record as a member of the state House of Representatives from Daniel Island and his support for President Trump's agenda. He argues that legislative experience matters when it comes to delivering results, which he said is integral for the Lowcountry’s next congressional representative.

Throughout the campaign, Smith has emphasized his conservative voting record, which also includes time on Mount Pleasant Town Council.

If elected, Smith has said his top priorities would be securing the U.S.-Mexico border, cutting wasteful spending, fixing the ballooning national debt and working alongside Trump to carry out his “America First” agenda.

Democrats

Nearly all of the Democratic candidates participated in a forum hosted by the Indivisible Charleston Chapter. Their answers during that April 28 event and public statements helped inform the profiles below.

Francina Dantzler

Francina Dantzler is a longtime educator with roots in Beaufort County and is now a first-time candidate.

She says her decades of experience advocating for students and her life experiences have prepared her for the role.

Dantzler, of Bluffton, describes her platform as being rooted in people first priorities, and would look to champion economic opportunity, healthcare access and education reform, if elected.

Mac Deford

Mac Deford, a Coast Guard veteran and former local government attorney, is running on a message of practical problem-solving and government accountability.

Deford argues that voters are paying more for essentials while receiving less from government, and says Washington has become consumed by political theater rather than results.

Deford, of Mount Pleasant, said he has refused corporate PAC contributions. On abortion, Deford said Congress should codify Roe v. Wade and reject efforts by states to further restrict reproductive rights.

Max Diaz

Max Diaz, an aircraft mechanic and pilot from Hanahan, is one of the youngest candidates in the race.

Diaz says his decision to run stemmed from frustration with a political system he believes is dominated by career politicians and other elites who are disconnected from the challenges facing ordinary Americans.

A political newcomer, Diaz has framed his campaign as part of a broader movement of working-class people seeking elected office.

Ben Frasier

The former aide to congressman Mendel Rivers from Wadmalaw Island, has run for Congress more than 15 times since 1972.

He has no campaign website, and the last time he ran for Congress was in 2013.

In 2010, he advanced through the Democratic primary in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, but he ultimately lost the seat to Republican nominee Tim Scott in the general election.

Matthew Fulmer

Matt Fulmer, a Hilton Head bartender and waiter, says working Americans are falling further behind while wealthy interests gain increasing influence over government.

A first-time candidate, Fulmer has centered his campaign on lowering the cost of living, reducing the influence of wealthy donors and expanding access to health care.

He has advocated campaign finance reforms, including public financing of elections, and has voiced support for election changes such as ranked-choice voting.