Civic Compass candidate profile Candidate: Mac Deford Race: U.S. House — SC-01 Party: Democratic Data source: Database-backed profile Election slug: sc-candidate-profile-enrichment Open online: https://www.ballotvibe.com/candidates/mac-deford-democratic?election=sc-candidate-profile-enrichment Compare this race: https://www.ballotvibe.com/races/sc-2026-u-s-house-sc-01?election=sc-candidate-profile-enrichment Open ballot plan: https://www.ballotvibe.com/plan?election=sc-candidate-profile-enrichment#plan-sc-2026-u-s-house-sc-01 Flag candidate evidence: https://www.ballotvibe.com/trust?election=sc-candidate-profile-enrichment&claimReference=Mac+Deford+%E2%80%94+U.S.+House+%E2%80%94+SC-01#corrections Exported: 2026-10-11T00:21:25.964Z Summary Mac Deford is listed by SCVotes as an active Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, District 1. SCVotes associates this contest with: BEAUFORT, BERKELEY, CHARLESTON, COLLETON, DORCHESTER, JASPER. Verify the voter-specific sample ballot in MySCVotes before treating this as a final personal ballot. Biography Age: Not sourced yet Career: Not sourced yet Evidence coverage Claims loaded: 69 Source-backed claims: 69 Issue position coverage: 100% Position confidence: medium Unknown issue axes: 0 Top issue positions 1. Healthcare — support (medium confidence) Evidence: 2 items across 2 sources Evidence tier: 1 — Direct candidate policy/questionnaire/voting evidence Summary: Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Healthcare: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Affordability Crisis: Families in the Lowcountry are being priced out. I’m focused on lowering costs for housing, healthcare, 2. Cost of living / housing — support (medium confidence) Evidence: 2 items across 2 sources Evidence tier: 1 — Direct candidate policy/questionnaire/voting evidence Summary: Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Cost of living: What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of service that made life better for the people of the Lowcountry. I hope to be remembered as someone who put integrity ahead of politics, who listened, who worked hard, and who never forgot the families a 3. Taxes and spending — support (medium confidence) Evidence: 2 items across 1 source Evidence tier: 4 — Party-platform fallback inference; candidate-specific evidence should override when available Summary: Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Public investment and taxes; this is not candidate-specific evidence. 4. Jobs and economy — support (medium confidence) Evidence: 2 items across 2 sources Evidence tier: 1 — Direct candidate policy/questionnaire/voting evidence Summary: Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Jobs and economy: What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? An elected official must lead with integrity, honesty, and a commitment to the people they serve. For me, the most important principles are accountability, respect for the Constitution, 5. Education — support (low confidence) Evidence: 1 item across 1 source Evidence tier: 4 — Party-platform fallback inference; candidate-specific evidence should override when available Summary: Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Public education funding; this is not candidate-specific evidence. 6. Public safety / crime — oppose (medium confidence) Evidence: 2 items across 2 sources Evidence tier: 2 — Candidate biography or priority statement inference Summary: Mac Deford has lower-tier biography/profile context related to Public safety; treat this as an inferred priority, not an explicit policy stance. 7. Immigration — support (low confidence) Evidence: 1 item across 1 source Evidence tier: 4 — Party-platform fallback inference; candidate-specific evidence should override when available Summary: Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Pathway citizenship legal immigration; this is not candidate-specific evidence. 8. Civil liberties and privacy — support (high confidence) Evidence: 3 items across 3 sources Evidence tier: 1 — Direct candidate policy/questionnaire/voting evidence Summary: Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Civil liberties and privacy: I’m running for Congress because our district needs practical, service-driven leadership—not performative politics. I’ve lived the challenges working families face, and I’ve spent my career solving problems, defending constitutional principles, and expan Campaign promises and policy plans 1. Government transparency Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Government transparency: Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public. Quote: “Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 2. Civil liberties and privacy Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Civil liberties and privacy: I’m running for Congress because our district needs practical, service-driven leadership—not performative politics. I’ve lived the challenges working families face, and I’ve spent my career solving problems, defending constitutional principles, and expan Quote: “I’m running for Congress because our district needs practical, service-driven leadership—not performative politics. I’ve lived the challenges working families face, and I’ve spent my career solving problems, defending constitutional principles, and expanding opportunity for the people of the Lowcountry. I believe government should put people over partisanship and focus on issues that actually improve lives.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 3. Election integrity Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Election integrity: Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to leaders who understood that public service is a moral calling. Bobby Kennedy showed what compassion and courage look like in moments of national division, and his belief in justi Quote: “Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to leaders who understood that public service is a moral calling. Bobby Kennedy showed what compassion and courage look like in moments of national division, and his belief in justice for every person still inspires me. I admire President James Garfield for his honesty, intellectual rigor, and willingness to confront corruption at a time when it was easier to look the other way. Senator John McCain embodied integrity and sacrifice, and his life reminds me that strength and decency can exist side by side. I also look to John Lewis, whose unwavering commitment to human dignity and voting rights set a standard for moral leadership that few will ever match. I try to follow their example by leading with fairness, speaking hard truths when necessary, and remembering that public service is about people, not personal ambition.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 4. Jobs and economy Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Jobs and economy: What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? An elected official must lead with integrity, honesty, and a commitment to the people they serve. For me, the most important principles are accountability, respect for the Constitution, Quote: “What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? An elected official must lead with integrity, honesty, and a commitment to the people they serve. For me, the most important principles are accountability, respect for the Constitution, and a willingness to listen. Public service is about solving problems, not scoring political points, so humility and transparency matter. Leaders should be guided by facts, grounded in fairness, and willing to work across differences to deliver real results. Above all, an elected official must remember that the job is a trust—not a platform—and that every decision should put people before partisanship.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 5. Cost of living Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Cost of living: What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of service that made life better for the people of the Lowcountry. I hope to be remembered as someone who put integrity ahead of politics, who listened, who worked hard, and who never forgot the families a Quote: “What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of service that made life better for the people of the Lowcountry. I hope to be remembered as someone who put integrity ahead of politics, who listened, who worked hard, and who never forgot the families and communities I served. I want my legacy to reflect real progress on issues like affordability, coastal protection, and economic opportunity, and a commitment to strengthening our democracy for the next generation. If people can say I helped restore trust in public leadership and left things a little better than I found them, that would be enough.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 6. Government transparency Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Government transparency: Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public. Quote: “Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 7. Civil liberties and privacy Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Civil liberties and privacy: I’m running for Congress because our district needs practical, service-driven leadership—not performative politics. I’ve lived the challenges working families face, and I’ve spent my career solving problems, defending constitutional principles, and expan Quote: “I’m running for Congress because our district needs practical, service-driven leadership—not performative politics. I’ve lived the challenges working families face, and I’ve spent my career solving problems, defending constitutional principles, and expanding opportunity for the people of the Lowcountry. I believe government should put people over partisanship and focus on issues that actually improve lives.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 8. Healthcare Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Healthcare: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Affordability Crisis: Families in the Lowcountry are being priced out. I’m focused on lowering costs for housing, healthcare, Quote: “Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Affordability Crisis: Families in the Lowcountry are being priced out. I’m focused on lowering costs for housing, healthcare, and everyday essentials so people can build stable lives and retire with dignity. Constitutional Crisis: Our democracy is under strain. As a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and attorney who swore an oath to defend the Constitution, I’ll stand up for the rule of law, checks and balances, and the peaceful transfer of power. Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 9. Election integrity Mac Deford's ballotpedia.org questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Election integrity: Atwood (D) Robert Beers (D) Candidate profiles This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey , or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on camp Quote: “Atwood (D) Robert Beers (D) Candidate profiles This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey , or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.” Source: South Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2026 (June 9 Democratic primary) - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/South_Carolina%27s_1st_Congressional_District_election,_2026_(June_9_Democratic_primary) 10. Cost of living Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Cost of living: After earning my law degree, I advised some of South Carolina’s top municipalities, helping guide them through crises like COVID-19, securing federal funds, and advancing priorities like coastal protection, infrastructure, and attainable housing. Quote: “After earning my law degree, I advised some of South Carolina’s top municipalities, helping guide them through crises like COVID-19, securing federal funds, and advancing priorities like coastal protection, infrastructure, and attainable housing.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford Source-backed claims 1. Government transparency — supports Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Government transparency: Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public. Quote: “Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 2. Civil liberties and privacy — supports Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Civil liberties and privacy: I’m running for Congress because our district needs practical, service-driven leadership—not performative politics. I’ve lived the challenges working families face, and I’ve spent my career solving problems, defending constitutional principles, and expan Quote: “I’m running for Congress because our district needs practical, service-driven leadership—not performative politics. I’ve lived the challenges working families face, and I’ve spent my career solving problems, defending constitutional principles, and expanding opportunity for the people of the Lowcountry. I believe government should put people over partisanship and focus on issues that actually improve lives.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 3. Election integrity — promised Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Election integrity: Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to leaders who understood that public service is a moral calling. Bobby Kennedy showed what compassion and courage look like in moments of national division, and his belief in justi Quote: “Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to leaders who understood that public service is a moral calling. Bobby Kennedy showed what compassion and courage look like in moments of national division, and his belief in justice for every person still inspires me. I admire President James Garfield for his honesty, intellectual rigor, and willingness to confront corruption at a time when it was easier to look the other way. Senator John McCain embodied integrity and sacrifice, and his life reminds me that strength and decency can exist side by side. I also look to John Lewis, whose unwavering commitment to human dignity and voting rights set a standard for moral leadership that few will ever match. I try to follow their example by leading with fairness, speaking hard truths when necessary, and remembering that public service is about people, not personal ambition.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 4. Jobs and economy — promised Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Jobs and economy: What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? An elected official must lead with integrity, honesty, and a commitment to the people they serve. For me, the most important principles are accountability, respect for the Constitution, Quote: “What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? An elected official must lead with integrity, honesty, and a commitment to the people they serve. For me, the most important principles are accountability, respect for the Constitution, and a willingness to listen. Public service is about solving problems, not scoring political points, so humility and transparency matter. Leaders should be guided by facts, grounded in fairness, and willing to work across differences to deliver real results. Above all, an elected official must remember that the job is a trust—not a platform—and that every decision should put people before partisanship.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 5. Cost of living — promised Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Cost of living: What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of service that made life better for the people of the Lowcountry. I hope to be remembered as someone who put integrity ahead of politics, who listened, who worked hard, and who never forgot the families a Quote: “What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy of service that made life better for the people of the Lowcountry. I hope to be remembered as someone who put integrity ahead of politics, who listened, who worked hard, and who never forgot the families and communities I served. I want my legacy to reflect real progress on issues like affordability, coastal protection, and economic opportunity, and a commitment to strengthening our democracy for the next generation. If people can say I helped restore trust in public leadership and left things a little better than I found them, that would be enough.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 6. Environment and energy — supports Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Environment and energy: What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The House is unique because it is closest to the people. Members serve short terms, represent smaller geographical areas, and are expected to stay directly c Quote: “What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The House is unique because it is closest to the people. Members serve short terms, represent smaller geographical areas, and are expected to stay directly connected to the daily lives and concerns of their constituents. The House is designed to be the nation’s most responsive democratic institution, where diverse communities and viewpoints come together to debate ideas in real time. Its power of the purse and its central role in legislative oversight give it a critical responsibility in safeguarding our democracy. At its best, the House reflects the full energy, complexity, and urgency of the American people.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 7. Healthcare — supports Mac Deford's Ballotpedia questionnaire answer indicates a stated position on Healthcare: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Affordability Crisis: Families in the Lowcountry are being priced out. I’m focused on lowering costs for housing, healthcare, Quote: “Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Affordability Crisis: Families in the Lowcountry are being priced out. I’m focused on lowering costs for housing, healthcare, and everyday essentials so people can build stable lives and retire with dignity. Constitutional Crisis: Our democracy is under strain. As a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and attorney who swore an oath to defend the Constitution, I’ll stand up for the rule of law, checks and balances, and the peaceful transfer of power. Corruption Crisis: Washington works for special interests, not people. I’ll fight to ban stock trading by members of Congress, strengthen ethics laws, and make government accountable to the public.” Source: Mac Deford - Ballotpedia — https://ballotpedia.org/Mac_Deford 8. Gun safety background checks and red flag laws — party_position_inferred Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Gun safety background checks and red flag laws; this is not candidate-specific evidence. Quote: “Democratic party fallback supports Gun safety background checks and red flag laws.” Source: Democratic party-platform fallback signal — party-platform:democratic:fallback 9. Public investment and taxes — party_position_inferred Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Public investment and taxes; this is not candidate-specific evidence. Quote: “Democratic party fallback supports Public investment and taxes.” Source: Democratic party-platform fallback signal — party-platform:democratic:fallback 10. Cost of living public intervention — party_position_inferred Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Cost of living public intervention; this is not candidate-specific evidence. Quote: “Democratic party fallback supports Cost of living public intervention.” Source: Democratic party-platform fallback signal — party-platform:democratic:fallback 11. Clean energy climate and environment — party_position_inferred Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Clean energy climate and environment; this is not candidate-specific evidence. Quote: “Democratic party fallback supports Clean energy climate and environment.” Source: Democratic party-platform fallback signal — party-platform:democratic:fallback 12. Pathway citizenship legal immigration — party_position_inferred Mac Deford's Democratic affiliation provides a Tier 4 low-confidence party-line fallback on Pathway citizenship legal immigration; this is not candidate-specific evidence. Quote: “Democratic party fallback supports Pathway citizenship legal immigration.” Source: Democratic party-platform fallback signal — party-platform:democratic:fallback Use this as a portable research snapshot; verify live sources before making final voting decisions.