Mark Smith leads the SC-01 Republican primary field with strong trader consensus, driven by his record as a state representative and consistent edge in recent straw polls and fundraising reports. Multiple candidates, including Alex Pelbath and Jay Byars, have highlighted Smith's legislative abstentions and questioned his ability to deliver results, yet these exchanges have not shifted the frontrunner's position ahead of the June 9 vote. Pelbath and Jenny Costa Honeycutt maintain secondary support among voters focused on new voices and local infrastructure priorities, while lower-polling contenders face structural barriers from limited name recognition and resources in the crowded ten-candidate contest. The primary's outcome will determine the Republican nominee to succeed retiring incumbent Nancy Mace.