Jay Byars
Jay Byars
SC-01 Republican nominee?
$134.1K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleCouncil Member
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationSouth Carolina
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BackgroundDorchester County Council member (District 7)
EducationB.S., Clemson University
Notable personal detailsJames Lex Byars III, known as Jay Byars, is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 cycle. He has served on the Dorchester County Council (District 7) since 2011. He holds a B.S. from Clemson University and an M.P.A. from the University of Georgia, and has worked in mortgage/financial services and previously as a science teacher and baseball coach.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting federal spending, eliminating waste, and restoring fiscal sanity; embraces the America First agenda and pledges to cut reckless spending and pay down the debt. No explicit campaign promise to raise taxes or enact progressive tax increases was found in campaign materials reviewed.
Immigration & Border
Supports securing the U.S. border and prioritizing enforcement as part of an "America First" agenda while positioning immigration as an economic and budget concern. Endorses policies to protect citizens first and to finish what President Trump started on border security.
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Climate & Energy
The candidate describes himself as a “conservative conservationist” who has led local efforts to protect marshes, coastlines and public lands but does not present detailed national climate or energy policy positions on his campaign site. Public reporting about his campaign emphasizes land and coastal protection while showing no explicit endorsement of aggressive emissions-reduction measures or specific energy policies.
News
Jay Byars has entered the race for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District as a Republican candidate. He says the campaign will focus on rapid growth, traffic, infrastructure strain, and affordability in the Lowcountry. The other recent coverage is broader election context, noting that South Carolina is among the states where Republicans may have an advantage in the 2026 House map.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements