Prepared by Copper Dome Strategies

First election under new state law that allowed for early voting

A newly enacted voting law allowed for 12 days of early, in person voting in addition to tighter security measures and stricter penalties for voter fraud. More than 560,000 voted early and another 64,000 voted absentee.

US Senator Tim Scott easily wins another six-year term

Incumbent US Senator Tim Scott (R) easily defeated challenger Krystle Matthews (D) with more than 60% of the vote. Scott has said this will be his final six-year term in the US Senate.

Governor Henry McMaster and all of the state’s constitutional officers re-elected

Governor

Incumbent governor Henry McMaster (R) easily defeated Joe Cunningham (D).

Attorney General

Incumbent Alan Wilson (R) ran unopposed.

Comptroller General

Incumbent Richard Eckstrom (R) ran unopposed.

State Treasurer

Incumbent Curtis Loftis (R) defeated third party candidate Sarah Work.

Secretary of State

Incumbent Mark Hammond (R) defeated Rosemounda Peggy Butler (D).

Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers (R) defeated two third-party candidates.

Republican Ellen Weaver wins the open seat for State Superintendent of Education

Ellen Weaver (R) defeated Lisa Ellis (D). Current Superintendent Molly Spearman did not seek re-election and endorsed Weaver.

Note: The last Democrat to be elected to statewide office was in 2004 when Jim Rex was elected State Superintendent of Education.

All of the state’s incumbent congressional members were re-elected

Congressional

1st District – Incumbent Nancy Mace (R) defeated challenger Annie Andrews (D).

2nd District – Incumbent Joe Wilson (R) defeated challenger Judd Larkins (D).

3rd District – Incumbent Jeff Duncan (R) ran unopposed.

4th District – Incumbent William Timmons (R) ran unopposed.

5th District – Incumbent Ralph Norman (R) defeated challenger Evangeline Hundley (D).

6th District – Incumbent Jim Clyburn (D) defeated challenger Duke Buckner (R) to secure his 16th term in Congress.

Russell Fry elected to the 7th congressional district

7th district – Russell Fry (R) defeated challenger Daryl Scott (D). Fry defeated incumbent Congressman Tom Rice (R) in the June primary.

South Carolina state senators were not on the ballot

State senators were not on the ballot as they run every four years concurrent with the presidential election.

Some surprises in the state House races as Republicans flip five seats – Democrats hoping to upset Richland County Republican

South Carolina House

All 124 seats were on the ballot Tuesday. There were fifteen open seats through retirements, and seven incumbents, six Republicans, and one Democrat were defeated in the June primaries.

Of the 124 House races, only 52 were contested. 72 House members did not have an opponent on the ballot.

Republican challenger Daniel Gibson defeated incumbent Democrat Anne Parks in House District 12. Republican challenger Fawn Pedalino defeated incumbent Democrat Kimberly Johnson in House District 64. Republican Challenger Matt Leber defeated incumbent Democrat Chardale Murray in House District 116. Republican challenger Jordan Pace defeated incumbent Democrat Krystle Matthews in House District 117. Matthews was on the ballot twice and was also defeated in her bid against incumbent Senator Tim Scott for the US Senate. Republican challenger Bill Hager defeated incumbent Democrat Shedron Williams in House district 122.

In the House District 75 race in Richland County, Democrat challenger Heather Bauer holds a slim lead over incumbent Kirkman Finlay (R).

There will be 26 new members of the House sworn in during the December organizational session. The chamber will then consist of 86 Republicans and 38 Democrats.

Both constitutional amendments passed

There were two constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first was whether or not to amend the state constitution in order to provide an increase from 5% to 7% of state revenues to the General Reserve Fund. The second was whether or not to increase the Capital Reserve Fund from 2% to 3%. Both measures passed.

NEW HOUSE MEMBERS

District 6 – Anderson – April Cromer (R) defeated incumbent Brian White in the June primary.

District 8 – Abbeville, Anderson & Greenville – Don Chapman (R) – Replaces Jonathon Hill.

District 10 – Anderson, Greenville & Pickens – Thomas Beach (R) defeated West Cox in the June Primary

District 12 – Greenwood &McCormick – Daniel Gibson (R) defeated incumbent Anne Parks (D).

District 25 – Greenville – Wendell Jones (D). Replaces Leona Robinson.

District 27 – Greenville – David Vaughan (R). Replaces Roland Smith.

District 30 – Cherokee & Spartanburg – Brian Lawson (R). Replaces Steve Moss

District 36 – Greenville & Spartanburg – Rob Harris (R). Defeated Rita Allison (R) in the June primary.

District 44 – Lancaster – Mike Neese (R).  Replaces Sandy McGarry (R).

District 46- York – Heath Sessions (R). Replaces Gary Simrill.

District 48 – York – Brandon Guffey (R). Replaces Bruce Bryant (R).

District 52 – Kershaw – Ben Connell (R) defeated Vic Dabney in the June primary

District 61 – Florence & Horry – Carla Schuessler (R). Renumbered district.

District 64 – Clarendon & Sumter – Fawn Pedalino (R) defeated incumbent Kimberly Johnson (D).

District 65 – Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw & Lancaster – Cody T. Mitchell (R). Replaces Jay Lucas (R).

District 66 – York – David O’Neal (R). Renumbered House seat

District 80 – Charleston Kathy Landing (R). Renumbered district

District 85 – Lexington – Jay Kilmartin (R) Replaces Chip Huggins (R).

District 92 – Berkeley – Brandon L. Cox (R). Replaces Joe Daning (R).

District 97 – Colleton & Dorchester – Robby Robbins (R). Replaces Mandy Kimmons.

District 106 – Horry – Val Guest (R).  Replaces Russell Fry.

District 110 – Charleston – Tom Hartnett (R). Replaces William Cogswell (R).

District 114 – Charleston & Dorchester – Gary Brewer (R) defeated Lin Bennett in the June Primary

District 116 – Charleston & Colleton – Matt Leber (R) defeated incumbent Chardale Murray.

District 117 – Berkeley & Charleston – Jordan Pace (R) defeated incumbent Krystle Matthews (D).

District 122 – Hampton County – Bill Hager (R) defeated incumbent Shedron Williams (D).

Note: Two incumbent House members, Wendy Brawley from Richland County and Cesar McKnight from Clarendon County were defeated in the June primaries he primary due to combined House districts.

House leadership changes coming in December

The House of Representatives has scheduled an organizational session for December 6 and 7, 2020 in preparation for the 2021 legislative session.  The Ways and Means Committee will elect a new Chairman to replace Rep. Gary Simrill who did not seek re-election. It is expected to be Rep. Bruce Bannister from Greenville.

The House Education Committee will elect a Chair to replace former Chair Rita Allison who was defeated in the June primary.

The 125th legislative session will convene on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.