2026 Catholic Voter Guide

South Carolina

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

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Early voting runs Monday, Oct. 19 – Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. (closed Sunday). Absentee ballots must be received by the county voter registration office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
South Carolina · 2026

U.S. House, District 1

Open seat (Nancy Mace not seeking reelection).

Download printable PDF ↓
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Republican · Open seat
Charleston County Council member and attorney.
Campaign website ↗
Nancy Lacore
Democrat · Open seat
Retired three-star Navy admiral; 35-year Navy veteran.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
No public position found.
Nancy Lacore
Said in an October 2026 debate, “We also need to end this war.”
[1] WTOC: Honeycutt, Lacore SC-01 debate
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
No public position found.
Nancy Lacore
No public position found.
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Pledges to bring “greater transparency to healthcare costs” and lower family costs; no public position found on Medicaid, SNAP or the 2025 reconciliation law.
[1] Honeycutt campaign: Platform
Nancy Lacore
Would restore enhanced ACA subsidies, reverse Medicaid cuts, offer a public insurance option and cap childcare costs at 7% of family income.
[1] Lacore campaign: Priorities
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Says “every life is precious and deserving of protection” and pledges to be “a steadfast advocate for the unborn.”
[1] Honeycutt campaign: Platform
Nancy Lacore
Says “I will work to guarantee women’s reproductive freedom in law,” including access to family planning.
[1] Lacore campaign: Priorities
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
No public position found.
Nancy Lacore
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Supports securing the border to stop fentanyl and “criminal illegal aliens,” and backing law enforcement.
[1] Honeycutt campaign: Platform
Nancy Lacore
Supports a secure border and faster case processing; says ICE officers must follow due process, wear body cameras, display badges and keep faces uncovered, and detention must be humane.
[1] Lacore campaign: Priorities
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Lists “safeguarding religious liberty” among the constitutional rights she would defend.
[1] Honeycutt campaign: Platform
Nancy Lacore
No public position found.
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Jenny Costa Honeycutt
Says she understands “the importance of conserving our natural resources”; in an October debate said she could suspend the federal gas tax for temporary relief.
[1] Honeycutt campaign: Platform[2] WTOC: Honeycutt, Lacore SC-01 debate
Nancy Lacore
Supports a permanent ban on East Coast offshore drilling, expanded clean energy, a modernized grid and protecting living shorelines.
[1] Lacore campaign: Priorities
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