Mac Deford’s campaign today released its analysis of fourth quarter 2025 Federal Election Commission filings in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, showing Deford nearly neck-and-neck with the top Republican fundraiser and significantly ahead of every other GOP candidate in the field.
Based on the campaign’s review of the filings — excluding candidate self-loans and personal contributions — the candidates raised the following amounts in Q4 2025:
- Mac Deford (D): $116,059.47
- Jenny Honeycutt (R): $140,905.09
- Mark Smith (R): $81,845.00
- Sam McGown (R): $73,338.83
- Alex Pelbath (R): $49,119.21
“These filings confirm that Mac Deford is running one of the strongest campaigns in this race,” said campaign spokesperson Jeni Atchley. “We are nearly neck-and-neck with the top Republican fundraiser for the quarter and are substantially outperforming every other GOP candidate. And just as important, our fundraising has already taken off in 2026, with a sharp increase in grassroots contributions in the first weeks of the year.”
“The trajectory is clear,” Atchley added. “This campaign is growing, and it’s growing quickly. That financial momentum also reflects what we’re seeing in voter support, with recent polling showing Mac in a strong position to win the general election.”
Deford emphasized that while fundraising is an important measure of campaign strength, it is not the sole determinant of election outcomes.
“Fundraising matters because it helps you communicate with voters, but it’s not the end-all, be-all,” said Mac Deford. “This race will be won by the candidate who actually knows the Lowcountry, who understands the housing crisis, the infrastructure challenges, and the cost-of-living pressures families are facing — and who will put the Trump administration in check. As someone who has lived, worked, and is raising a family in the Lowcountry, I understand the issues facing our communities.”
“At the end of the day, what matters is trust,” Deford continued. “Trust is built by connecting with people where they live, understanding their challenges, and earning their confidence face to face. That’s the kind of campaign we’re running.”
The Deford campaign stressed that South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District remains highly competitive and that success will depend on deep local roots and a clear understanding of the district’s unique needs.
“This campaign is about building the broadest coalition of neighbors, workers, veterans, and families who want real representation,” Deford said. “These numbers show we’re building that coalition, and we’re just getting started.”