The Republican field of candidates in the 1st Congressional District primary is crowded and eclectic.
Ten are vying for your vote, while one has already dropped out. All want to replace Congresswoman Nancy Mace this fall.
Kendal Ludden
A certified public accountant, Kendal Ludden calls himself a “new American patriot” and an “anti-politician”.
Ludden is also an attorney who says he’s uniquely qualified to understand spending and tax cuts.
“I believe the economy sucks, and what we need to do is have an economy of us, the community,” he said during a forum last month in Charleston.
Ludden was one of five candidates who took part in a forum at the Congregational Circular Church in Charleston. It was held by the Charleston League of Women Voters and the group Silence Is Not an Option (SINO).
Tyler Dykes
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Tyler Dykes of Bluffton says he’s willing to stand up against what he calls “the excesses” of the current administration and “the failures” of the Republican Party as a whole.
He supports deporting undocumented workers and opposes foreign involvement abroad.
“This blockade against Iran is costing $500 million a day,” he said at the Charleston forum.
“For five days of that expense, we could completely fix all of I-526 and all the infrastructure for the entire district.”
Dykes did attend the January 6th rally at the U.S. Capitol in 2021 and was later pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Logan Cunningham
Beaufort County Councilman Logan Cunningham says he fully supports President Donald Trump.
The former educator and small business owner touts his time on county council where he says he was youngest member ever in the state at the age of 27. He was elected in 2021.
Cunningham says he helped increase teacher pay, invested in infrastructure, and protected more than 14,000 acres of green space in Beaufort County.
“I can take my results on the county level all the way to Washington,” he said during last month’s forum.
Jay Byars
Dorchester County Councilman Jay Byars is a former public-school teacher and small business owner.
He’s concerned about Lowcountry issues like traffic, infrastructure, and green space.
“For me, this race is about making America first by taking care of home,” he said during the forum.
“Everybody’s tired of the drama.”
Bayers lives in Summerville and says the Lowcountry needs a partner in Congress to help tackle local issues.
Cindy Wagers Riley
Psychiatric nurse practitioner Cindy Wager Riley says she’s not a politician.
She says she’s running because “healthcare is absolutely awful.”
Riley says she has lived abroad and found better healthcare in third- world countries.
“I think it’s time that we actually send somebody to fix healthcare that knows the problems with healthcare,” she said during the Charleston forum.
Born and raised in Dorchester Country, Rile says she lives by the lessons her parents taught her- “don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal, be nice, and make your mamma proud.”
Mark Smith
South Carolina State Rep. Mark Smith says he supports President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Smith also touts his own conservative voting record.
The Bamberg native and long-time funeral home owner says he’s running for the 1st Congressional District to cut taxes, fight illegal immigration and stand up for conservative values.
“Washington doesn't need more politicians chasing headlines or empty talking points,” he said in a letter read at the forum, which he did not attend.
“It needs leaders willing to do the hard work, tell the truth, and stand up for the people they serve.”
Dan Brown
As a former legislative aide in Washington, Dan Brown says Congress has been “too focused on political theater” and not enough on “solving problems.”
He says the nation needs a new generation of conservative leaders.
As for issues, the Bluffton resident says he’s pro-life, supports deporting undocumented immigrants, and believes in peace through strength.
Brown calls President Donald Trump “the greatest foreign policy president of my lifetime.”
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Lowcountry native Jenny Costa Honeycutt serves as a Charleston County Councilwoman and lives on James Island.
Honeycut says she is committed to preserving the character of the Lowcountry.
She’s also an attorney and small business owner.
Honeycutt says she’s running for Congress to strengthen the economy, secure the border and push the America First agenda.
She is a mother of three and a volleyball coach.
Sam McCown
As a physician and businessman, Sam McCown says he’s a political outsider looking to make a difference in Washington for the Lowcountry.
Born and raised in South Carolina, McCowan now lives on Daniel Island.
He says he wants to balance the budget which he calls “the greatest threat to our children’s future.”
As for the issues, McCown says he wants to stop the woke agenda. He supports eliminating DEI mandates, securing the border and improving healthcare.
Alex Pelbath
Retired Air Force Colonel Alex Pelbath is leaning on his military experience as he runs for a chance to represent the 1st Congressional District.
Pelbath flew the final American flight out of Kabul as the nation withdrew from Afghanistan.
The Mount Pleasant resident says the country is facing growing national-security threats abroad. He says he will focus on defense and military readiness.
And if elected, he says he will “get politics out of our military.”
Pelbath says he stands with President Donald Trump.
Mark Sanford
Former governor Mark Sanford initially signed up to run for his old congressional seat but withdrew shortly after announcing his bid. His name will still appear on the primary ballot.
Voting
The primary election will be held Tuesday June 9th. If no candidate secures a majority, the top two will go to a runoff on June 23rd.
