Conservative Rep. Mark Smith launches campaign for SC’s 1st Congressional District Seat
State Rep. Mark Smith, R–Berkeley, launched his campaign for Congress Thursday to represent South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, entering the 2026 race to succeed U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace.
Smith, who’s in his third term as a state lawmaker and local businessman from Daniel Island, kicked off his campaign 10 days after Mace jumped into South Carolina’s 2026 race for governor.
In a two-minute launch video, Smith aligns himself closely with President Donald Trump, with the voiceover stating, “Mark Smith’s got President Trump’s back.”
“The Lowcountry deserves a representative who puts our people first,” Smith wrote on Facebook, accompanying his campaign launch. “We need a proven conservative leader who will fight for President Trump’s America First agenda and deliver results.”
His campaign messaging emphasizes traditional conservative priorities and defending “South Carolina values.”
Smith, 55, represents parts of Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island, the Cainhoy Peninsula, Hanahan and Goose Creek in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Before that, he served on the Mount Pleasant Town Council. He also owns McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, which operates six locations across Charleston, Berkeley and Lexington counties.
The 1st District, which stretches along the state’s southeastern coastline and covers much of the Lowcountry, including portions of Charleston, Berkeley and Beaufort counties, has leaned more Republican in recent cycles. In 2024, Rep. Mace defeated Democratic challenger Michael B. Moore with 58.2% of the vote.
Smith’s entrance into the race sets the stage for a competitive Republican primary, as candidates vie to define the direction of the GOP in the Lowcountry.
As of now, Smith is one of two Republicans seeking the seat. Charleston’s Jack Ellison has also filed Federal Election Commission paperwork to raise money for a campaign.
On the Democratic side, three candidates have entered the ring, Robert Lee Beers III of Bonneau, William “Mac” Deford of Mount Pleasant and S.C. Democratic Party Second Vice Chair Mayra Rivera-Vazquez of Bluffton.
Official candidate filing with the South Carolina Election Commission does not open until March 2026, but early declarations have already begun to shape what could be a crowded race.
Smith is scheduled to have a campaign launch event at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, at New Realm Brewing on Daniel Island, across from one of Mace’s congressional offices in the district.
