Democrats Endorse Admiral Fired By Trump
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has officially endorsed Democrat Nancy Lacore, a retired three-star Navy admiral who was removed from her military leadership position by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last year.
Lacore is now seeking to represent South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, one of the state’s closely watched House races heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
If elected, she would succeed Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who gave up her House seat to pursue the Republican nomination for governor. Mace was unsuccessful in that race, leaving the congressional seat open.
Kelly and Lacore Share Criticism of Hegseth
Kelly and Lacore have each found themselves at odds with Hegseth and the Trump administration over separate controversies tied to military leadership and public service.
Last year, Kelly joined five other lawmakers in a video encouraging members of the military to refuse unlawful orders. The video drew criticism from administration officials.
Following the video’s release, Hegseth issued Kelly a formal letter of censure. The retired Navy captain also faced the possibility of a reduction in rank after retirement, which could have affected his military pension.
A federal judge later blocked those disciplinary actions from taking effect.
Lacore says her experience has given her common ground with Kelly.
“The one thing we share is we both consider public service to be about delivering results to people and about the Constitution, not about political games,” Lacore told NOTUS.
She added that both have become caught up in political disputes involving Hegseth.
Democratic Groups Rally Behind Lacore
Earlier this month, Lacore won the Democratic primary with support from several national organizations, including EMILY’s List, VoteVets, and New Politics.
Her campaign is part of a broader Democratic effort to gain ground in Congress during the upcoming midterm elections.
Political analysts have also adjusted their outlook for South Carolina’s 1st District. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican,” suggesting Democrats may see a more competitive contest than in previous election cycles.
While Republicans remain favored, Democrats view the district as a potential opportunity if national political trends continue to tighten.
Kelly Expands Support for Veteran Candidates
Kelly has also pledged financial support for military veterans running for Congress across the country.
According to NOTUS, the Arizona senator plans to contribute $2,500 to each of ten veteran candidates he has endorsed.
“Veterans understand what it means to put country before self,” Kelly wrote.
“These leaders did it during their time in service, and now they’re answering the call again to fight for their communities in Congress. I’m proud to endorse them.”
Millions Already Invested in 2026 Midterms
Kelly has already directed more than $1 million toward Democratic candidates in House, Senate, and statewide races nationwide.
His political spending includes support for former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s Senate campaign and former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown’s effort to return to the U.S. Senate.
With control of Congress expected to be fiercely contested in the 2026 midterm elections, endorsements and fundraising efforts from high-profile lawmakers like Kelly are likely to receive increasing attention in the months ahead.
