South Carolina State Rep. Mark Smith has officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, targeting the 2026 election.
Smith, a Republican, announced his campaign for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in a social media post on Thursday.
Anticipating a Vacancy in the 1st District
The early campaign launch positions Smith for a seat that is expected to become open.
Current incumbent U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is preparing to launch her own campaign for the governorship of South Carolina.
Mace’s anticipated gubernatorial run creates a significant opportunity for new candidates to seek representation for the Palmetto State’s Lowcountry region in Washington.
A Platform of Proven Conservative Leadership
In his announcement, Smith framed his candidacy as that of a “proven conservative leader.”
He stated his commitment to fighting for the “America First” agenda championed by former President Trump.
Smith aims to bring his experience from the State House to the U.S. Congress, vowing to advocate for conservative principles on a national level.
