South Carolina congressional candidate Nancy Lacore, a three-star admiral and former chief of the Navy Reserve who was removed from her post last year, won the Democratic nomination for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday.
Lacore was notified she was being relieved of her duties with immediate effect, ending her service at the Pentagon after one year of a typical four-year term. She described the experience as an "abrupt end," but said the feeling of wanting to continue serving prompted her to enter politics.
"I struggled to figure out what was next for me," Lacore said in an interview. "But the one thing I couldn’t shake was this feeling that I wasn’t done serving. ... I can serve differently."
She will now face Republican incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace in the general election. Lacore, who defeated Mac Deford for the nomination, believes a Democrat can be a popular choice in the district, citing widespread public dissatisfaction with the current administration.
"I think the fact that every day we turn the TV on and this administration is doing something that harms Americans helps, right?" Lacore stated. "People are fed up with this administration. And … I focus on what matters to everybody in this district … the cost of living, affordability."
Lacore criticized former President Donald Trump's administration, noting his dismissal of affordability concerns and his decision to engage in a conflict with Iran. She described the war as "costly and deeply unpopular."
She also spoke about the impact on veterans in her district, which has a "huge veteran population." Lacore said many veterans approach her with concerns "in tears" about these issues.
Regarding a reported request for an additional $80 billion from Congress to fund the conflict, Lacore called the request "predictable" and "unacceptable." She characterized it as indicative of the administration's approach, suggesting a belief that "there’s just an open checkbook."
Lacore contended that the ongoing dismissals of senior military officials amid a major conflict sends a message that current and future service members "are not wanted." She warned that this approach is damaging not only to the armed forces but also to the country as a whole.
"And as you can see, it hasn’t gone so well," she added. Her campaign, however, has progressed successfully, culminating in her primary victory. Lacore stated her focus is now on flipping the Republican-held seat.