Who is Nancy LaCore? The former Navy Reserve Chief sacked by Pete Hegseth, now running for Congress in South Carolina

Nancy LaCore spent more than three decades rising through the ranks of the U.S. Navy, culminating in her appointment as a three-star vice admiral and Chief of the Navy Reserve. Today, however, the retired military leader is attracting attention for a very different reason: her bid for Congress in South Carolina after being removed from her Pentagon post during a sweeping leadership shakeup under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

LaCore's political profile rose sharply this week after she advanced to a Democratic primary runoff in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

LaCore's military career began in 1990 when she was commissioned into the U.S. Navy after attending the College of the Holy Cross on an ROTC scholarship. She earned her Naval Aviator wings in 1993 and flew helicopters before taking on a series of operational and leadership assignments throughout the Navy.


Over a career spanning 35 years, she steadily climbed the ranks, serving in command positions across both active-duty and reserve components. Her résumé includes deployments to Afghanistan and Djibouti, where she held senior leadership roles supporting U.S. military operations overseas.

Her rise culminated in her appointment as Chief of the Navy Reserve, a role that placed her in charge of more than 60,000 Reserve sailors and made her one of the highest-ranking women in the US Navy.

Why was Nancy LaCore fired?

LaCore's national profile changed dramatically in August 2025 when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed her from her position as Chief of the Navy Reserve as part of a broader shakeup affecting dozens of senior military leaders.

The Pentagon did not publicly provide a detailed explanation for every personnel change, but the removals were part of a wider effort by the new Defense Department leadership to reshape military command structures. LaCore was among the most senior officers affected.

Speaking after launching her congressional campaign in January 2026, LaCore said she never wore her Navy uniform again after leaving the Pentagon on the day of her dismissal.

Entering the political arena

Just months after her removal, LaCore announced her candidacy for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, framing her campaign around public service, leadership and accountability.

Her campaign argues that her decades of military experience managing complex organizations and national security challenges provide qualifications that few first-time candidates can match. She has also emphasized support for veterans, military families and government oversight.

The retired admiral quickly gained support from several influential organizations. Among her endorsers are VoteVets and Veterans for Responsible Leadership, two groups focused on increasing veterans' representation in politics. She has also received backing from EMILYs List, which supports Democratic women who favor abortion rights.

Advancing to a Democratic runoff

LaCore's campaign gained momentum on June 9 when she secured enough support to advance to a Democratic runoff election in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.

She will face Mac Deford, a US Coast Guard veteran and former local government attorney, in a June 23 runoff after both candidates emerged from a crowded Democratic primary field.

Outside politics, LaCore's life has long been shaped by military service. She and her husband, Pat LaCore, are both former Navy helicopter pilots. Together, they raised six children.

She has also remained active in veterans' causes, including founding Valor Run, a nonprofit initiative honoring women who lost their lives while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Can she flip a Republican stronghold?

While LaCore's story has drawn national attention, the political challenge ahead remains steep.

According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, South Carolina's 1st Congressional District remains strongly Republican territory. The eventual Democratic nominee will face an uphill battle in November regardless of who emerges from the GOP primary.