Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) on Wednesday endorsed Democrat Nancy Lacore, a former three-star admiral who was fired without cause by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last year. Lacore is now running to represent South Carolina’s 1st congressional district in the House, a seat currently held by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.).
The endorsement injects a national security and partisan dimension into a competitive House race. Lacore's dismissal by Hegseth—a controversial move that Kelly highlighted in his endorsement—frames the contest as a referendum on civilian control of the military and Pentagon leadership decisions. If elected, Lacore would replace Mace, a prominent conservative figure.
Kelly's backing underscores Democratic efforts to flip a historically Republican district. Mace won reelection in 2024 by a narrow margin, making the seat a top target for Democrats. Lacore's military background could appeal to moderate and veteran voters, while Republicans are expected to emphasize her outsider status and lack of political experience.
The race is seen as an early test of voter sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterms. Political analysts note that Lacore's high-profile firing may galvanize both supporters and opponents, with national security credentials serving as a double-edged sword in a district that leans Republican.