Jan. 6 participant runs for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District

Tyler Dykes, a retired U.S. Marine, is one of 18 candidates vying for the seat being vacated by Rep. Nancy Mace.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The race to replace U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District is growing increasingly crowded and high-profile, with one of the Republican candidates being Tyler Dykes, a Bluffton native and retired U.S. Marine who was involved in the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol. Dykes disputes aspects of the prosecution's account of his actions that day and maintains he did not physically assault an officer, describing his presence as an effort to call for greater transparency in the 2020 election results. He has framed his involvement in January 6 as evidence of his willingness to challenge what he calls government overreach and corruption, and has made it a key part of his campaign platform as he seeks the Republican nomination.

Why it matters

Dykes' involvement in the January 6 Capitol breach has made his candidacy a high-profile one in the crowded race to replace Rep. Nancy Mace. His disputed account of his actions that day and his framing of the event as a stand against government corruption have become a central part of his campaign platform, raising questions about how voters in the district will respond to a candidate with such a controversial background.

The details

Court records show Dykes pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement during the Capitol riot and served time in federal prison before receiving a presidential pardon. He disputes aspects of the prosecution's account and maintains he did not physically assault an officer, describing his actions as an effort to call for greater transparency in the 2020 election results. Dykes has also signed a term-limits pledge and has pledged to file articles of impeachment against former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi over her handling of matters related to Jeffrey Epstein if elected.

  • Dykes traveled to Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021.
  • Dykes later pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement during the Capitol riot and served time in federal prison before receiving a presidential pardon.
  • The primary election in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District is scheduled for June 9, 2026.

The players

Tyler Dykes

A Bluffton native and retired U.S. Marine who is running as a Republican candidate for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. Dykes was involved in the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol and has framed his actions that day as a stand against government overreach and corruption.

Nancy Mace

The current U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, who is not seeking re-election.

Pam Bondi

The former Florida Attorney General whose handling of matters related to Jeffrey Epstein Dykes has pledged to investigate if elected to Congress.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There has been a very large amount of exaggerations about what actually happened on that day. My actual conduct that day was not this aggressive, violent, terrible behavior that they're trying to paint me as.”

— Tyler Dykes, Retired U.S. Marine and Republican candidate

“Being pardoned was just an amazing moment. You're sitting in federal prison and you hear over the intercom, 'You've been pardoned by the president, you're going home.' It was electric.”

— Tyler Dykes, Retired U.S. Marine and Republican candidate

“The second that I step into Congress, the very first thing that I will do will be to file articles of impeachment against Pam Bondi. Her treatment of the Epstein files has been a disaster.”

— Tyler Dykes, Retired U.S. Marine and Republican candidate

What’s next

The judge in Dykes' case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail ahead of the primary election.

The takeaway

Dykes' involvement in the January 6 Capitol breach has made him a polarizing figure in the race for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, with his disputed account of his actions that day and his vow to challenge government corruption becoming central to his campaign platform. Voters in the district will have to weigh Dykes' controversial background against his policy positions as they decide which candidate to support in the crowded Republican primary.