Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
6%
20%
16%
7%
6%
SC-01 Republican nominee?
$164.0K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Air Force officer (retired)
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
GenderMale
LocationSouth Carolina
Show moreShow less
BackgroundU.S. Air Force officer (retired)
EducationUnited States Air Force Academy (1997–2001)
Notable personal detailsAlex Pelbath is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. He is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and aviator who served as Air Mission Commander for the final evacuation flight from Kabul in August 2021. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and has also worked as a commercial airline pilot. He lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and is married with two children.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govpelbathforcongress.comlive5news.compatriotspoint.orglinkedin.comthecandidate.comen.wikipedia.orgflowrestling.orgscvotes.govcapitolhillaccess.comberkeleyobserver.comballotready.orgstanfordvotes.orgbarrowga.orgdocquery.fec.govburlingtoncountynj.govarxiv.orgscdailygazette.comthegreenpapers.comspectrumlocalnews.comwtoc.comgazette.comturn0search7yellowhammernews.combostonglobe.comgophouse.orgnewsfromthestates.comm.thegreenpapers.comjmedia.wikipolitics1.compeba.sc.govx.compostandcourier.comwjcl.comthestate.comabcnews4.comwashingtonpost.comwsav.compredictionedge.comfoxnews.cominstagram.comfacebook.comrsc-pfluger.house.govblumenthal.senate.govbanks.senate.govvotesmart.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Alex Pelbath’s campaign emphasizes lowering costs, bringing jobs home, and defending working-class families but does not present a detailed federal tax plan on his campaign site or in available coverage. Public statements link economic concerns to inflation and immigration, with priorities framed around reducing costs and promoting job repatriation rather than explicit tax-rate proposals. The available sources do not provide clear, specific proposals to increase or cut particular taxes at the federal level.
Immigration & Border
Supports strict enforcement-first immigration policies including securing the border, deporting every illegal immigrant, ending birthright citizenship, and stopping the flow of illegal immigration. Prioritizes stronger border security measures as part of his platform.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Alex Pelbath is in the news because he is running in South Carolina’s crowded 1st Congressional District race for an open House seat. The district held its primary on June 9, with polls closed and live results reported, but the summaries do not show a final winner. The race is part of a highly contested contest to replace Rep. Nancy Mace, with possible runoffs still in play.
fec.gov+48
Articles
CPCharleston Post and Courier2 months ago
Meet the 17 candidates running to replace SC’s Nancy Mace
Neutral
L5Live 5 News WCSC2 months ago
🔴LIVE 5: South Carolina primary election results
Neutral
TBThe Boston Globe3 months ago
Republicans building an advantage in redistricting, but how much?
Neutral
NNewsBreak2 months ago
A third of the Congressional Black Caucus could lose seats amid redistricting fight
Neutral
Polls
SC-01 Republican nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
SC-01 Republican nominee?
Endorsers of Alex Pelbath for SC-01 Republican nominee?
Coastal Conservative Alliance
Advocacy group
Coastal Conservative Alliance endorsed Alex Pelbath.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$438.4K
$328.8K
$219.2K
$109.6K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$438.4K
$114.2K
$324.2K
$18.0K
Source: FEC