CHARLESTON, S.C. — Alex Pelbath, a retired Air Force commander and Republican candidate for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, says leadership — not politics — is what voters should prioritize as the June 9 primary in South Carolina approaches.
Pelbath is campaigning to succeed Nancy Mace in Congress as the current congresswoman mounts a campaign for governor of South Carolina.
Pelbath, who served 22 years in the Air Force and was the Air Mission Commander for the final evacuation flight out of Afghanistan in 2021, is part of a crowded Republican field seeking to represent the coastal district in Congress.
In a Q&A with The Berkeley Observer, Pelbath discussed his military background, infrastructure concerns across Berkeley County and the Lowcountry, rising property taxes, public safety, education and what he believes sets him apart from his opponents.
Below is the full Q&A with Pelbath.
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1. What specifically motivated you to run for South Carolina House District 1 at this time?
South Carolina is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, and I am committed to keeping it that way if elected to serve in Congress. As the Air Mission Commander for the final evacuation of Afghanistan, I saw firsthand the devastating consequences of weak leadership from career politicians. Though President Trump has done an amazing job turning this country around, there is still a war against constitutional conservative values, with the Left trying to tear down everything this country stands for. I wasn’t made to sit on the sidelines. There’s a battle going on for America, and it’s going to take leadership—not politics—to win.
2. For those who don’t know you, explain your background—both professional, educational, and personal (Example: family).
First and foremost, we are a Jesus-loving, God-fearing, America First family. I am a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and met my wife shortly before graduating. We have been married for 24 years and have two incredible children in college. We believe we are called to serve which has been reflected in many aspects of our lives. In addition to my military service, my wife has two master’s degrees, serves as a PA in a local family practice, and recently led a medical mission trip to Liberia. My son has a similar call to service in his life and will soon graduate from Liberty University with a degree in Pastoral Leadership before entering the ministry. My daughter, though only a freshman in college, has already completed three mission trips with our church, including time spent in Africa.
I spent 22 years in the Air Force, mostly as a pilot, including four significant years at the Pentagon working on the Air Force’s $800B+ budget and later serving for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where I learned national defense policy. After that in-depth policy experience, I was selected for command and moved to Charleston Air Force Base in 2017. Toward the end of my career, I was selected to lead the Air Force’s only C-17 Special Operations Unit and sent forward to deal with former President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. My team and I were on the ground for the entire 17-day ordeal, and at the very end, I served as the Air Mission Commander for the final evacuation, personally flying the last aircraft out and ending America’s longest war. As a result, I was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Force Academy’s Sully Sullenberger Award for Courage.
Today, we remain active in our church and community and are fully embracing this new call to service by running for U.S. Congress to serve the people of South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.
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3. What are the top three issues facing District 1 right now, and how would you address them if elected?
Infrastructure, cost of living, and government corruption. We live in a state with higher taxes than any other state in the Southeast, yet we continue to struggle with fixing our roads, managing growth, and keeping the Lowcountry lifestyle affordable. All three of these major issues are connected. The cost of living is high because local lawmakers have saddled us with an excessively high tax burden, overregulation, and little to no strategic planning. The idea that we would promote one of them to represent us in Washington is nonsense.
One of my first priorities will be to ensure Congress appropriates funding to the Lowcountry to help solve these infrastructure challenges. Our district provides tremendous value to America through our five military bases and our critically important port. Because of that, federal dollars should be directly invested in our district, and I will fight to make that happen. Our region is a critical national security asset for our country, and South Carolina priorities deserve their share of federal support.
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4. What areas does your district represent—and how do you hope to appeal to/reach voters in those areas?
Obviously, if acted on, redistricting would impact the areas and voters I would be humbled to represent. But regardless of how things play out, my message to all of my fellow South Carolinians when voting this year is that we need leaders in Congress, and I am that leader. My life’s mission has been to serve this nation, and I will continue do just that for the district and people I represent in Congress.
5. What sets you apart from your opponent(s), and why should voters choose you?
Leadership and experience. I have led through the toughest challenges when it mattered most for America, and I am the only candidate with federal-level policy experience. While every other candidate was working their way up the political ladder, I was learning and leading on the front lines from the battlefield to the Pentagon. I am the only candidate with an actual plan to solve our infrastructure challenges and the only candidate who can go head-to-head with the extreme Left and win as we enter an especially contentious political cycle. Furthermore, in the Air Force, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic and I have held it as my guiding principle in life ever since. As America’s enemies grow increasingly aggressive, we need someone in Congress who understands the sacrifice this oath takes to live out. The uniform may be different, but the mission will be the same for me.
6. What has running for office taught you so far?
We have problems in Congress because we continue to elect the same kind of people. We need men and women of character—people who truly believe in service before self and who will always do the right thing, regardless of the consequences.
7. Growth and development continue to impact Berkeley County—how do you balance economic growth with infrastructure and quality-of-life concerns?
Strategic planning. Our district is blessed to have such a booming economy, but with growth comes distinct challenges that require strategic planning. For too long, Berkeley County and other areas of the 1st Congressional District have shouldered the burdens that come with economic boom without any real plan to manage it. We must bring together all stakeholders, residents, and local leaders to devise a long-term strategy for our region that will only continue to grow in popularity. The 1st Congressional District is the best district in the country, and it is our responsibility to keep it that way by electing the right leaders.
8. Residents often raise concerns about traffic and road capacity. What concrete steps would you support to improve infrastructure in this district?
Traffic and infrastructure challenges have long been neglected and underfunded in South Carolina. While infrastructure tends to primarily be a state issue, my priority on day one will be to use my position as a member of Congress to direct federal infrastructure funding to SC-01 in order to improve our roadways and bridges. With the presence of five military bases and the fastest-growing port on the East Coast, it is beyond time for the federal government to help us bear the burden of infrastructure challenges caused by the growth tied to what we do for this country.
9. Where do you stand on property taxes, and what changes—if any—would you advocate for at the state level?
While property taxes are a state and local issue, I think they are absolutely too high in our district. They directly contribute to the rising cost of living and have been imposed by the very politicians now seeking a promotion. What I will do differently is use my influence to work with local and state leaders to lower property taxes so our neighbors can afford to stay in their homes. This is especially important for elderly and retired citizens on fixed incomes whose rising tax bills are becoming untenable.
10. Public safety is a key concern locally. What policies would you support to strengthen law enforcement and reduce crime?
If elected, I will provide unwavering support to our law enforcement officers and ensure they have the funding and equipment necessary to do their jobs effectively. I will work to pass legislation that improves funding for police departments, encourages officer retention, and provides adequate benefits so those who put their lives on the line—and their families—are taken care of in return.
11. Education funding and school capacity are ongoing issues. How would you ensure schools in District 1 are adequately supported as the population grows?
While schools fall under the purview of local and state government, I will work to ensure schools in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District receive every federal dollar possible to improve student outcomes. Most importantly, I will work to ensure we educate our children rather than indoctrinate them with woke ideology or DEI policies, honor our history, and keep men out of women’s sports.
12. If elected, how will you remain accessible and accountable to the people of District 1?
The same way military leaders accomplish this: through active communication and initiative. More than just an “open-door policy,” this means proactively engaging with the community, hosting in-person town halls, and making myself readily available for the people I serve.
13. Any website/social media pages you’d like to mention or upcoming events?
Website: Pelbath for Congress
X: @PelbathforSC
Instagram: @PelbathforSC
Facebook: Alex Pelbath for Congress
14. Who are you running against for District 01, and if you win the primary, who will you face in November?
In the primary, I am running against a long list of mostly career politicians. In November, it is increasingly likely that I will face a well-funded Democratic candidate. This seat has become a top-five target for Democrats this year, and they are already spending heavily. I am the only Republican candidate who can go head-to-head with the Democratic nominee and win. We must realize this is no longer just about electing a Republican—it is about electing the right Republican.
15. When did you file to run for office, and when did you formally announce you were running?
Formal filing occurred in March of this year, though we have been campaigning since August 2025.
16. There is such political division in the country. How do you intend to bridge the gap and reach out to both sides?
As a former Air Force Special Operations leader, this is where I am most experienced. Building teams and solving problems is what makes special operations forces effective. I am running as a leader, not a politician, and I will bring expertise in policy—not politics—to Washington.
Editor’s Note: The Berkeley Observer is committed to providing fair, accurate and comprehensive coverage of local elections and the candidates seeking to represent our community. We do not endorse specific candidates. Instead, we believe in equipping voters with clear, accessible information so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box. Other candidates interested in a Q&A may reach out to us at: [email protected].
