Jay Byars (R), Jenny Honeycutt (R), Sam McCown (R), Alex Pelbath (R), Mark Smith (R), and six other candidates are running in the Republican primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District on June 9, 2026. As of May 2026, Byars, Honeycutt, McCown, Pelbath, and Smith led in fundraising and local media attention.

Incumbent Nancy Mace (R) is running for governor rather than seeking re-election. Mace was first elected in 2020. This is the first election for an open seat in the 1st District since 2013. As of May 2026, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Republican.

Byars was elected to the Dorchester County Council in 2011. Byars is the founder of multiple small businesses, including Long Leaf Storage and Good Faith Caregivers. He earlier worked as a science teacher and baseball coach in the Dorchester public schools. Byars says he will "protect our way of life, restore trust in leadership, and stand up to the liberal overreach threatening our future."

Honeycutt was elected to the Charleston County Council in 2018. Honeycutt is an attorney focused on representing construction firms. Honeycutt's campaign website says she is "a lifelong Lowcountry resident and unapologetic conservative running for Congress to serve the people and protect the place she loves."

McCown is a physician and medical administrator focused on women's cancer treatment. McCown is running on his personal and professional experience. In a campaign ad, McCown said, "I'm not running to be another voice in the choir. I'm running to get results. I'm an engineer, a doctor, an entrepreneur that has spent my life solving tough problems in the real world."

Pelbath is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel. Pelbath is running on his military experience. In a campaign ad, Pelbath said, "I was the commander of the final air mission out of Afghanistan. I never planned to run for Congress, but I've witnessed the devastation caused by career politicians' weak leadership."

Smith was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2020. Smith served on the Mount Pleasant Town Council in 2013. Smith is the president and chief executive officer of McAlister-Smith Funeral Homes, Inc. Smith is running on his professional and political experience. Smith's campaign website says he has "signed the front of a paycheck, created jobs, and helped families through their toughest moments."

Also running in the primary are Dan Brown (R), Logan Cunningham (R), Tyler Dykes (R), Jack Ellison (R), Kendal Ludden (R), and Cindy Riley (R). A 12th candidate, Mark Sanford (R), who represented the district from 1995 to 2001 and 2013 to 2019 and was South Carolina's governor from 2003 to 2011, withdrew after the filing deadline. Sanford's name will still appear on the ballot.

If no candidate wins a majority of votes, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on June 23, 2026.

In 2024, Mace defeated Michael B. Moore (D) 58.2%–41.6%.