South Carolina GOP race to replace Nancy Mace heads to runoff
South Carolina’s 1st District Heads to Runoff After Republican Primary Leaves Winner Uncertain
A crowded Republican primary in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District has failed to produce a majority winner, sending the race to a runoff set for June 23. The vacancy opened when Representative Nancy Mace announced she will run for governor of the Palmetto State, leaving her seat in Washington, D.C. behind.
The primary, held Tuesday evening, saw three candidates contend for the GOP nomination: Jenny Honeycutt, a small‑business owner and founder of a law firm that assists clients with regulatory matters; Mark Smith, a state legislator who runs a funeral‑home business and has served in the South Carolina House since 2020; and Jay Byars, a former county council member and entrepreneur who owns a storage company and a home‑care business.
No candidate reached the 50 % threshold required for an outright win. Honeycutt, who positioned herself as a “pro‑family political outsider,” drew 27 % of the vote. Smith captured 30 %, while Byars trailed with roughly 18 %. With no clear victor, the election will advance to a June 23 runoff between the top two finishers, Honeycutt and Smith.
Mace, who has represented the district since 2021, is a “firebrand conservative” known for her willingness to cross party lines. In 2023 she joined eight Republicans in supporting a motion that removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and she has advocated for cybersecurity legislation and for a vote on releasing the Epstein files. She was re‑elected in 2024, defeating Democrat Michel Moore 58.2 % to 41.6 %.
“I’m running for governor because South Carolina needs a leader who will drag the truth into sunlight and flip the tables,” Mace said during her announcement speech. She has not yet endorsed a candidate to succeed her in Congress.
The 1st District, covering the city of Columbia and its suburbs, has been a Republican stronghold for most of the past four decades. The only Democratic representative since 1981 was Joe Cunningham, who served from 2019 to 2021. Mace’s departure is expected to be a decisive moment for the GOP, which seeks to maintain control of the seat.
Fundraising figures from the Federal Election Commission reveal a stark disparity between the candidates. Honeycutt has raised just under $345,600 as of late May. Smith, meanwhile, has amassed $750,700 in contributions. Byars’ campaign has secured $220,600 to date.
Both Honeycutt and Smith emphasize law‑and‑order, fiscal responsibility, and family issues in their platforms. Honeycutt’s firm specializes in helping clients navigate regulatory frameworks, and she has highlighted her outsider status and focus on fiscal prudence. Smith, who ran his funeral‑home business before entering politics, has touted his experience cutting taxes and supporting local law enforcement during his tenure as a state legislator.
The runoff will be held on June 23, and the winner will become the Republican nominee for the 1st Congressional District in the November general election. As South Carolina prepares for a race that could shape the state’s congressional delegation, voters will weigh the candidates’ business experience, policy priorities, and alignment with the district’s long‑standing Republican lean.