Public Policy Polling
40%30%20%10%0%
36%
SC-01 Democratic nominee?
$45.8K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleAttorney
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
GenderMale
LocationSouth Carolina
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BackgroundAttorney
EducationThe Citadel (undergraduate; magna cum laude)
Notable personal detailsWilliam McAdoo “Mac” Deford is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a federal law enforcement officer and search and rescue crewman, including assignments in Baltimore and Charleston. He later earned degrees from The Citadel (undergraduate) and Charleston School of Law, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Deford has worked as an attorney and served in local government legal roles, including as General Counsel for the Town of Hilton Head Island and as Associate General Counsel for the Town of Mount Pleasant.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdefordforcongress.comlinkedin.comlive5news.comen.wikipedia.orgballotready.orgislandpacket.comprojects.propublica.orgreadthedonation.comspectrumlocalnews.comoctagonai.coelectionhistory.scvotes.govthestate.comdocquery.fec.govreddit.comthecitycharleston.comwtoc.comnewsfromthestates.comholycitysinner.comcharlestoncitypaper.commacdeford.orgthepalmettoeye.comyahoo.comsclawyers4law.comcharlestondemocrats.comelections2024.thehill.comcbsnews.comlatimes.comfoxnews.comwashingtonpost.comstatic.votesmart.orgapnews.comsfchronicle.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
The candidate’s campaign materials describe rising health care costs, high premiums and prescription drug prices, and criticize corporate middlemen and attacks on reproductive freedom, but do not lay out specific policy proposals such as support for Medicare for All, a public option, or detailed reforms.
Immigration & Border
Supports secure borders while opposing a border wall; favors a fair, efficient, and transparent immigration system that includes a path to citizenship for people brought to the U.S. as children and targeted removal of violent criminals. Wants immigration processes that facilitate legal entry and economic contribution and criticizes aggressive enforcement that bypasses legal norms.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports federal protections for abortion access and seeks to codify Roe v. Wade; opposes extreme abortion bans and will advocate for national protections to ensure access to safe, legal reproductive health care.
Climate & Energy
Supports proactive climate policy focused on protecting the Lowcountry from climate impacts, investing in coastal protection and climate-resilient infrastructure, and promoting renewable energy and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-safety measures including universal background checks, safe-storage requirements, and red flag standards while affirming responsible gun ownership and support for law enforcement. Seeks federal action to close the Charleston loophole and pursue coordinated public-safety and mental-health strategies to reduce gun violence.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Mac Deford is in the news as a Democratic candidate in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, where redistricting has been a major campaign issue. He and other candidates debated the proposed map and concerns about voter confusion as early voting approached. The redistricting push later stalled in the state Senate, while early voting got off to a record pace.
fec.gov+35
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$547.8K
$410.9K
$273.9K
$137.0K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$547.8K
$146.7K
$401.1K
$23.6K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements