State Rep. Mark Smith holds a commanding lead in the June 9 Republican primary for South Carolina’s open 1st Congressional District, reflecting his five years of legislative experience and strong local name recognition. A mid-April GOP forum straw poll showed him ahead at 34 percent, ahead of retired Air Force Col. Alex Pelbath at 29 percent, underscoring early voter preference for an elected official in a crowded field. Pelbath’s military service, including commanding the final U.S. flight out of Afghanistan, has generated visibility and fundraising among veterans and national security voters, yet trails Smith’s established base. Lower-tier candidates such as Sam McCown and Jay Byars draw limited support, primarily from specific professional or county-level networks, with no major late developments shifting the hierarchy ahead of the primary.