U.S. House, South Carolina 1st Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District?
Jenny Costa Honeycutt has the strongest record in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Nancy Lacore each score 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026; Jenny Costa Honeycutt ranks first on the tiebreakers (character score, then total points earned). Jenny Costa Honeycutt's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Nancy Lacore's highest marks are relevant experience and communication. Bill Reeside (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Strongest record
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
58 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Nancy Lacore
58 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- NR
Libertarian
Bill Reeside
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 55
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
- On the record2026-10-07
Said in the Oct. 7 debate that she disagreed with President Trump on some tariffs while supporting others, after Trump endorsed her.
- Credit2026-06
Took part in the June 2026 Republican primary runoff debate against state Rep. Mark Smith.
- Credit2026-10-07
Debated Nancy Lacore for an hour on WCBD on Oct. 7, 2026, the first general election debate in the race.
- Credit2018
Elected to Charleston County Council in 2018, representing District 9.
Nancy Lacore
- On the record2026-06
Declined a debate with Mac Deford in the June 2026 Democratic primary runoff.
- On the record2025-08
Was removed as Chief of Navy Reserve by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in August 2025, along with two other senior officers; no public explanation was given.
Sources: Good Morning America (ABC News), Jan. 2026, South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026
- Credit2026-10-07
Debated Jenny Costa Honeycutt for an hour on WCBD on Oct. 7, 2026, the first general election debate in the race.
- Credit1990 to 2025
Served 35 years in the Navy, from helicopter pilot to three-star admiral and Chief of Navy Reserve.
Bill Reeside
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Nancy Lacore. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Bill Reeside. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. No public record found.
Nancy Lacore. No public record found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Took part in the Oct. 7, 2026 televised general election debate and the June 2026 Republican runoff debate.
Sources: South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026, Post and Courier via Yahoo, Oct. 7, 2026
Nancy Lacore. Took part in the Oct. 7, 2026 televised general election debate on WCBD; a second October debate is scheduled. Declined a debate with Mac Deford in the June primary runoff.
Sources: South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026, Post and Courier via Yahoo, Oct. 7, 2026
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Charleston County Council member since 2018 election and a practicing attorney, with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Nancy Lacore. Served 35 years in the Navy, rising to three-star admiral and Chief of Navy Reserve. No censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Took the oath as a Charleston County Council member after her 2018 election. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Nancy Lacore. Took and kept the military oath through 35 years of Navy service. No official finding of misuse of office found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Charleston County Council member for about eight years, elected in 2018, and an attorney who founded a private practice.
Sources: South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Nancy Lacore. Retired Navy vice admiral; served as Chief of Navy Reserve, a senior military command, after a career that began as a helicopter pilot. Has not held elected office.
Bill Reeside. Nuclear engineer for more than 40 years in the power and research industries, then a Habitat for Humanity builder. Has not held public office.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Bill Reeside, Campaign site, home page
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Publishes a platform in general terms; in the debate proposed a cap on federal spending.
Sources: Campaign site, home page, South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026
Nancy Lacore. Publishes priorities and completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey; positions on prices, tariffs and health care costs are mostly general.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Nancy Lacore, South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026
Bill Reeside. Names specific legislative steps within Congress's powers, such as repealing current Authorizations for Use of Military Force and presidential tariff authorizations.
Source: Campaign site, home page
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Two channels documented: a campaign platform site and debates. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign site, home page, South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026, Ballotpedia, Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Nancy Lacore. Three channels documented: Ballotpedia's 2026 survey, a campaign priorities page and the Oct. 7 debate.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Nancy Lacore, Campaign site, home page, South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026
Bill Reeside. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey (2025 and 2026) and publishes a priorities page.
Source: Ballotpedia, Bill Reeside
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. A James Island native and lifelong resident of the district who has served on Charleston County Council since 2018. FEC by-state totals show about 90 percent of itemized individual contributions from South Carolina.
Sources: Post and Courier via Yahoo, Oct. 7, 2026, South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Nancy Lacore. Moved to Mount Pleasant, in the district, about a year ago after leaving the Navy. FEC by-state totals show about 20 percent of itemized individual contributions from South Carolina.
Sources: South Carolina Public Radio, Oct. 8, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Bill Reeside. Says he and his wife have lived in South Carolina for nearly two decades and have owned property in Edisto Beach since 2004. FEC by-state totals show about 58 percent of itemized individual contributions from South Carolina.
Sources: Campaign site, home page, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found. Runs a private law practice.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
Nancy Lacore. Led the Navy Reserve as its chief; her campaign puts it at more than 60,000 sailors. FEC reports on file through June 30, 2026; no FEC administrative fine.
Sources: Good Morning America (ABC News), Jan. 2026, Campaign site, home page, FEC administrative fines search
Bill Reeside. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. No public record found.
Nancy Lacore. No public record found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. No public record found.
Nancy Lacore. No public record found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. No public record found.
Nancy Lacore. No public record found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. No public record found.
Nancy Lacore. No public record found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Jenny Costa Honeycutt. No public record found.
Nancy Lacore. No public record found.
Bill Reeside. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District?
Jenny Costa Honeycutt has the strongest record in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Jenny Costa Honeycutt and Nancy Lacore each score 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026; Jenny Costa Honeycutt ranks first on the tiebreakers (character score, then total points earned). Jenny Costa Honeycutt's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Nancy Lacore's highest marks are relevant experience and communication. Bill Reeside (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in 2026?
Jenny Costa Honeycutt (Republican), Nancy Lacore (Democratic), Bill Reeside (Libertarian). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Jenny Costa Honeycutt a good candidate for Congress?
Jenny Costa Honeycutt scores 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Nancy Lacore a good candidate for Congress?
Nancy Lacore scores 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Bill Reeside a good candidate for Congress?
Bill Reeside has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every South Carolina race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the South Carolina 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.