House Speaker Mike Johnson visits Goose Creek to rally support for Honeycutt
The Louisiana legislator joined a crowded event in South Carolina's 1st District as polls show the congressional race is a toss-up.
By Lauren Foster ·
South Carolina's 1st Congressional District is currently a dead heat, and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana traveled to Goose Creek on Saturday to help Republican challenger Jenny Honeycutt close the gap. Johnson addressed a crowd of approximately 300 people at American Legion Post 166, framing the upcoming election as a choice between preserving the American republic or descending a Marxist path. He told the audience that the next Congress would focus on foundational issues rather than traditional debates over tax rates and regulation.
Honeycutt, a Charleston County councilwoman, is competing against Democrat Nancy Lacore, a former Navy rear admiral. The district was redistricted in 2022 to favor Republicans, but current polling indicates the race is competitive. President Donald Trump won the area by 13 points in 2024, yet Democrats are looking to flip the seat after it changed hands in 2018 for the first time in four decades.
National Republican leaders have visited the state recently to unify the party after a contentious August Senate primary. Senate Majority Leader John Thune attended a Charleston fundraiser in October, while Senators Ted Cruz and Representative Jim Jordan appeared at a Myrtle Beach event last Monday. Johnson said on Saturday that he chose this race from among 435 contests to demonstrate strong support for Honeycutt.
Honeycutt told reporters she expected a difficult campaign. She stated that the Lowcountry understands who is best suited to lead the region and expressed excitement about the upcoming opportunity. Lacore countered by telling her supporters in a joint appearance with Senate Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrews that South Carolina needs an upgrade from the current representative and does not want another election like the recent Senate runoff.
Lacore responded directly to Johnson's comments about socialism, noting her 35 years in military service. She said she believes in capitalism and is not a socialist. She added that Republicans are using every available tactic because they recognize the strength of the Democratic coalition. The next major event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, when voters will cast ballots.
The race remains tight with days remaining until Election Day. Both campaigns are actively engaging with voters across the coastal district.
Source: WEPR
