---
title: "Lacore Leads Honeycutt in Charleston-Area 1st District Race"
url: https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/11/04/lacore-leads-honeycutt-1st-district-recount-likely/
date: 2026-11-04T06:54:28-05:00
modified: 2026-11-04T06:54:28-05:00
author: "Bethany S. Sanders"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Charleston"
attribution: "HERE Charleston"
---

# Lacore Leads Honeycutt in Charleston-Area 1st District Race

> CHARLESTON, S.C. — Democrat Nancy Lacore holds a narrow lead in the race for the Charleston-area 1st Congressional District seat, but the contest with Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt looks headed for a recount. Full returns posted by the South Carolina Election Commission at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday showed Lacore at 49.65% and Honeycutt at 48.64%,

*Source: [HERE Charleston](https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/11/04/lacore-leads-honeycutt-1st-district-recount-likely/) — November 4, 2026 by Bethany S. Sanders*

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Democrat Nancy Lacore holds a narrow lead in the race for the Charleston-area 1st Congressional District seat, but the contest with Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt looks headed for a recount.

Full returns posted by the South Carolina Election Commission at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday showed Lacore at 49.65% and Honeycutt at 48.64%, a gap of 3,308 votes. Libertarian Bill Reeside took 1.65%, or 5,346 votes. The count ran late after a technical problem in Dorchester County forced workers to scan more than 5,000 ballots a second time.

A mandatory recount follows if the final margin holds within 1%. Lacore, a retired Navy vice admiral, claimed victory before midnight and said she welcomed a recount. Honeycutt, who has served two terms on Charleston County Council, told supporters it was too early to call with so many ballots outstanding.

A Lacore win would flip the seat Republican Nancy Mace held for three terms before her unsuccessful run for governor. Outside groups from both parties poured more than $11.5 million into the race for the coastal seat, which covers much of the Tri-County area.