Two South Carolina candidates in the race to succeed Rep. Nancy Mace shared their differing visions for affordability and law enforcement policies in their first debate Wednesday in Charleston.
Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt, an attorney and Charleston County Council member, pitched herself to voters as someone familiar with the 1st Congressional District as a lifelong resident of the area.
With eight years on county council, Honeycutt said her local government experience gives her the exact qualifications to succeed in Washington, D.C., and prioritize the district's residents — an area she said her opponent cannot claim.
"I know what makes this district special, firsthand, and I know why newcomers like my opponent who moved here last year to run for this seat are drawn for the area," she said.
Democratic nominee Nancy Lacore moved to Mount Pleasant about a year ago after serving 35 years in the U.S. Navy.
She was removed from her position as chief of the Navy Reserve by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — who goes by secretary of war after the president changed the department's name by executive order — without a clear explanation and said she moved to the area to be closer to her family.
Lacore said that although she was a freshman to the Lowcountry, her time in the Navy taught her how to work with Republicans and Democrats to lead troops of people.
"The problems that face the 1st District right now aren't Democratic or Republican problems, they're American problems," she said.
The Oct. 7 debate held from WCBD News 2's studio in Mount Pleasant stayed chippy throughout the hour, but candidates firstly focused on the future for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.
Here are some takeaways:
Everyday prices
Candidates were questioned how they would approach easing South Carolinians' pocketbooks when it came to grocery, gas and healthcare prices.
Honeycutt and Lacore said a suspension of the gas tax would be a beneficial temporary move, but their alignment on affordability diverged from there.
Lacore said tariffs set by President Donald Trump and the ongoing war in Iran were the two main factors that caused prices to rise. Honeycutt agreed that — some — of the tariffs in place were unnecessary. But she said ones that impact places like company Century Aluminum in Berkeley County have made way for internal production expansions.
Honeycutt instead saw government spending and the national debt as two of the leading troublemakers for inflation.
"It is the existential threat that faces the next generation. So, in Congress, one of my first steps is going to be to start taking measures to implement a cap on that (spending)," she said.
She, too, said voters could look at gains at the stock market and low unemployment rates as a sign of pending improvements.
Lacore said the average working American had no reason to use stocks as a measure of success.
The two kept returning to the war in Iran, even outside the context of affordability. Lacore looked at the conflict as a "war of choice" she said that the country has no smooth exit plan for.
"I have been in war. I have sent people into war. This should have never happened," she said.
For Honeycutt, the conflict she said seemed necessary to keep Iran from creating nuclear weapons. She, too, said she wanted the war to end when the time was appropriate but did not believe it had yet reached that point. And she questioned whether Lacore cared if Iran developed a weapon.
Lacore said Trump already claimed the country's nuclear program had been destroyed in June 2025 and saw no reason as to why the war had continued to ensure.
On healthcare, Lacore said she wanted cuts to Medicaid restored and the ability for Medicare to negotiate drug prices, which is an option she said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grants her. Honeycutt said while people deserve healthcare, a "hard look" at the programs needed to be taken.
Guardrails and more guardrails
Candidates' approach to artificial intelligence, data centers and Flock Safety cameras were brought into play.
Both candidates believed new parameters were needed in the regulation of AI, although Lacore was more stern on the need for restrictions. She specifically said political ads need to disclose when AI is used and that protections for children should be enacted.
Lacore agreed that some restrictions were needed, but she wanted to foster an environment for innovation above all else.
Data center development was seen as a community decision by both candidates. And both supported the continued use of Flock Safety automatic license plate reader cameras with local sheriffs at the helm of restrictions and rules. Lacore looked at the experience of one of her six children, who is a police officer, and ruled that the cameras were a net positive.
Honeycutt also noted her endorsement from different sheriffs in the area and the conversations she has had with them in her answer. Honeycutt received the president's endorsement after her primary victory.
Both said they would support term limits for members of Congress and did not believe representatives should trade stocks as Lacore pointed to Honeycutt's owned stock in AI-related companies.
Honeycutt said she did not see it as a conflict of interest that she would carry into Congress and promised not to trade if elected.
The culture questions
Lacore said the cost of childcare was the biggest issue Lowcountry women face.
Honeycutt said the biggest issue women face was the lack of access to health lifestyle options.
Abortion stances and immigration compliance highlighted the division between the candidates. Although most of the conversation in the race has been centered on Lowcountry-specific issues, the two candidates went back-and-forth on abortion and immigration.
Honeycutt said she opposes abortion except for in cases of incest, rape or danger to a mother’s life.
“When I talk about being pro-life, it’s because I believe every life has purpose, meaning and value,” she said.
Lacore said she wanted restrictions to return to those set in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.
When it came to immigration and compliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Honeycutt said she supported law enforcement agencies entering 287(g) program partnerships with ICE. The program gives local law enforcement officers certain immigration enforcement powers they would not otherwise have.
Lacore said she supported upholding immigration laws but said the way ICE had gone about enforcement was unacceptable.
"I have led law enforcement organizations — both military and civilian. I have a daughter who is police officer. I know what good law enforcement looks like," she said. "And what we're seeing from ICE is not that."
She said she wanted federal immigration officers to wear body cameras, badges and to lose the masks.
Despite slight jabs toward one another, both candidates shook hands at the end.
Libertarian Party candidate Bill Reeside did not participate in the debate.
Early voting will run from Monday, Oct. 19, to Saturday, Oct. 31. Polls will open each day, except Sunday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The 2026 General Election is Nov. 3.
