Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt holds a clear edge in the SC-01 open-seat contest, reflecting the district’s R+6 Partisan Voter Index and consistent “Likely Republican” ratings from forecasters. Honeycutt’s long-standing Lowcountry roots, Charleston County Council tenure, and recent endorsements from local law enforcement have bolstered her position against Democrat Nancy Lacore, a retired Navy vice admiral who relocated to the area in 2025. Outside Republican spending, including support from a Trump-aligned PAC, has further strengthened Honeycutt’s campaign. A late-September poll showed the race tightening, and the Oct. 7 debate highlighted contrasts on immigration, the economy, and local familiarity, yet most models still project Honeycutt ahead by roughly 7 points heading into early voting on Oct. 19.