Mayra Rivera-VazquezCandidate

Mayra Rivera-Vazquez

U.S. HouseDemocrat

SC-01 U.S. House

Puerto Rican·SCDP Hispanic Caucus Chair

Why This Race Matters

Mayra Rivera-Vazquez is running against Democratic primary: Nancy LaCore (retired Navy Vice Admiral), Mac Deford, Max Diaz, Matthew Fulmer. General: 10 Republicans including Mark Smith (State Rep), Dan Brown, Jay Byars, Logan Cunningham, Tyler Dykes, and others..

Open seat race after Rep. Nancy Mace announced her gubernatorial bid. If elected, Rivera-Vazquez would be the first Latina ever elected to Congress from South Carolina. The district has an 8.18% Hispanic population (61,200 residents), and she plans to campaign in both English and Spanish.

The SC-01 race is the most crowded in South Carolina with 14 total candidates (10 Republicans, 4 Democrats). Democratic primary features retired Vice Admiral Nancy LaCore, who was fired by Defense Secretary Hegseth, giving the race national attention. Rivera-Vazquez brings deep party infrastructure experience as former SCDP Second Vice Chair.

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 9, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Mayra Rivera-Vazquez is an economist, attorney, and community organizer running for Congress in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, she grew up in a lower-middle-class household where she watched her parents nurture their community. A first-generation college graduate, she earned degrees in economics and law from the University of Puerto Rico and a master's in international law from Madrid. She relocated to South Carolina in 2013 when her Army veteran husband was transferred to Parris Island. If elected, she would become the first Latina elected to Congress from South Carolina.

Family & Heritage

Born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico to Puerto Rican parents who instilled values of hard work, service, and resilience. First-generation college graduate from a lower-middle-class family. Graduated from Colegio San Jose Catholic School. Married to a U.S. Army veteran; relocated to South Carolina in 2013 when he was transferred to Parris Island. Mother of two adult children, including a nonverbal autistic son. Grandmother. Catholic. Has personally navigated school systems and support services as a special-needs parent.

Political Career

Before Politics

Economist at Town of Caguas Department of Budget and Planning; Deputy Secretary for Puerto Rico Electoral Commission; Community Reinvestment Officer at RG Premier Bank; Advisor to Puerto Rico Senate and Department of Economic Development; Latino Outreach Co-coordinator for Jaime Harrison 2020 Senate campaign; Regional Coordinator for SCDP Voter Protection Unit; Consultant on Mia McLeod 2022 gubernatorial campaign; Legal assistant at Deverall Immigration Law Firm (6 years); Community organizer and nonprofit adviser in South Carolina

Education

B.A. in Economics, University of Puerto Rico San Juan (1984); J.D., University of Puerto Rico San Juan (1988); Master's in International Law, Foreign Trade and International Relations, Institute of Economy and Law Madrid (2010); Colegio San Jose Catholic School (high school); James Clyburn Political Fellowship (2017)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Economic progress and affordability for working families
*Healthcare affordability and access including reproductive rights
*Education improvement
*Environmental protection and sustainable growth
*Immigration reform that is fair, practical, and humane
*Strong borders and smart policy
*Veterans and military family support
*Special-needs family advocacy

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