3:10Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve, oversees a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk on June 27, 2025. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyra M. Watson
A high-ranking Navy official dismissed from her role by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last year is campaigning for a Congressional seat.
Nancy Lacore, who dedicated 35 years to the Navy as a helicopter pilot, three-star admiral, and the chief of the Navy Reserve, declared her candidacy for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday.
“After years of dedication to our nation, a journey that began as a Navy pilot and culminated as a three-star admiral, I was removed from my position without justification. I have more to contribute, more to advocate for, and more service to render — I am not finished serving,” the retired officer stated in an X post announcing her campaign.
Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve, officiates a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk on June 27, 2025. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyra M. Watson
Lacore was dismissed in August, along with Rear Adm. Milton Sands, who commanded the Naval Special Warfare Command, and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, who led the Defense Intelligence Agency and supervised its initial evaluation of the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Defense Department did not respond promptly to a request for comment on Tuesday regarding Lacore’s assertion that she was terminated without cause.
South Carolina’s 1st District, a conservative seat encompassing Charleston, was secured by President Donald Trump in both 2024 and 2020. Currently, the seat is held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who is campaigning for governor of South Carolina.
Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve, speaks during a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk on June 27, 2025. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyra M. Watson
Democrats anticipate that the seat could be competitive in a favorable election year for the party, reminiscent of 2018 when Democrat Joe Cunningham won the seat as Democrats regained majority control.
Following her announcement, Lacore received endorsements from EMILYs List, a progressive organization dedicated to electing women to higher office, and The Bench, a new Democratic entity supporting various candidates in closely contested districts.
She enters a competitive Democratic primary field, which includes Coast Guard veteran Mac Deford, who lost in the 2024 Democratic primary election.
On the Republican side, candidates include physician Sam McCown, State Rep. Mark Smith, and Alex Pelbath, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who conducted the last American flight out of Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021, all vying for the June primary.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com