Polling Average
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6%
20%
16%
7%
6%
SC-01 Republican nominee?
$164.0K
JUN 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePhysician (radiology/nuclear medicine)
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationSouth Carolina
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BackgroundPhysician (radiology/nuclear medicine)
EducationClemson University — B.S., Mechanical Engineering (minor: Administrative Economics)
Notable personal detailsSam McCown is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 cycle. He is a physician and former medical practice leader who presents himself as an engineer and businessman/investor. He earned an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and completed medical school, a radiology residency, and a nuclear medicine fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdocquery.fec.govsammccown.comlive5news.comen.wikipedia.orglegalclarity.orgcongressionaldistricthealthdashboard.orgsciway.netfilpac.comscvotes.govpublicapi.devscstatehouse.govmyscmc.orgarxiv.orgherecharleston.comfitsnews.comcharlestoncitypaper.comgovernor.sc.govscdailygazette.comsouthcarolinapublicradio.orgrobbyforhouse.comchrismurphyforstatehouse.comabccolumbia.compolitics1.comclubforgrowthfoundation.orgpolychances.comyourislandnews.comballotpedia.orgpostandcourier.comthestate.comdecisiondeskhq.substack.compredictionedge.comlocalcandidates.orgfacebook.cominstagram.comballotready.orgkennedy.senate.govcongress.govziplook.house.govhouse.govdemocrats-energycommerce.house.govdocs.house.govjustfacts.votesmart.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports fiscal conservatism focused on balancing the federal budget, cutting spending and duplicative agencies, and reducing federal regulations; endorses a federal balanced-budget amendment and policies to eliminate waste and deficit spending. Emphasizes limited government and returning power to states and local communities as part of his economic approach.
Healthcare
Supports reducing federal healthcare regulations, expanding consumer choice and transparency in coverage, and opposes "socialist"/single‑payer healthcare expansions. Emphasizes putting patients and doctors in charge and returning power to states and local communities. Policy language focuses on market-oriented reforms rather than expanding large federal entitlement programs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports securing the southern border and stopping the flow of fentanyl and human trafficking, framing border policy as part of national security and law enforcement. Emphasizes stronger border security measures while not proposing broad regularization or pathways to citizenship on his issues page.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Sam McCown describes himself as pro-life and supports protecting life, opposing taxpayer funding for abortion, and preserving religious freedom; his campaign materials emphasize restrictions on abortion funding. His public profile lists him as pro-life in coverage of the SC-01 field.
Climate & Energy
Supports domestic energy production and energy independence, opposes Green New Deal–style mandates, and favors innovation and market-driven approaches with fewer regulations.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports the Second Amendment and describes himself as a defender of the right to bear arms for law-abiding Americans while also expressing support for law enforcement and public safety measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Sam McCown is one of the prominent Republicans running in South Carolina’s open 1st Congressional District race, which is drawing a crowded field ahead of the 2026 election. The seat is open because Nancy Mace is running for governor, and the race is expected to stay highly competitive. McCown also stood out recently for not taking part in a Republican candidate debate that focused on inflation, housing costs, taxes, and redistricting.
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Articles
CPCharleston Post and Courier2 months ago
Republican candidates debate in 1st Congressional District
Neutral
CPCharleston Post and Courier2 months ago
Meet the 17 candidates running to replace SC’s Nancy Mace
Neutral
CPCharleston Post and Courier2 months ago
SC 1st District is winnable race for Democrats in blue wave
Neutral
TBThe Boston Globe3 months ago
Republicans building an advantage in redistricting, but how much?
Neutral
Polls
SC-01 Republican nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.6M
$1.2M
$797.9K
$398.9K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.6M
$27.9K
$1.6M
$87.1K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements