The political parties certified in South Carolina for the 2024 elections include the typical Republican and Democratic parties, Drew McKissick chaired by and Christale Spain, respectively. Additionally, several third-party candidates are running for state senate elections:[2][3]
United Citizens Party: Chaired by Chris Nelums, who ran in the special election for District 19. He will again run for District 19 in the general election.[6]
South Carolina Workers Party: Co-chaired by Harold Geddings III and Leonard Lee Goff III. They will run candidates in Districts 16, 22, & 26.[6]
After longtime Republican incumbent Hugh Leatherman died in November 2021, a special election was held to fill his seat to represent Florence, South Carolina, in the Senate.[7] A Republican primary was held on January 25, and a special election was held on March 29.[8]
South Carolina Senate District 31 Special Election Republican Primary
Democratic incumbent Marion Kimpson resigned May 11, 2023, after an appointment to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.[9] Democratic primary was held on September 5, a Democratic runoff was held on September 19, and the special election was held on November 7.[10]
South Carolina Senate District 42 Special Election Democratic Primary
Three incumbent senators, one Democrat and two Republicans, were defeated in the June 11 primary election. One more incumbent senator, a Republican, was defeated in the June 25 primary runoff election.
Four incumbent senators, all Democrats, were defeated in the general election. One more incumbent senator, a Republican, was defeated in the June 25 primary runoff election.
District 1 covers parts of Oconee and Pickens Counties. Incumbent Thomas C. Alexander will run unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election. If reelected, it will be his eighth full-term and mark over 30 consecutive years in the Senate.[22]
South Carolina Senate District 1 General Election, 2024
District 2 is contained within Pickens County. Incumbent Rex Rice will run unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election. It will be his third term in office.[22]
South Carolina Senate District 2 General Election, 2024
District 3 consists of Northern Anderson County. Republican incumbent Richard Cash will seek a second full term, while Democrat and mental health counselor, Jessicka Spearman,[23][24] will seek to unseat him in the general election.[25]
South Carolina Senate District 3 General Election, 2024
Incumbent Republican Katrina Shealy ran for re-election, but was defeated in the Republican primary. Shealy had drawn national attention during the previous legislative session when she joined with the chamber's other female senators, including two other Republicans, in a filibuster of a proposed total abortion ban.[26] Her actions drew the ire of the state Republican party, leading to her primary challenge, which she lost in a runoff.[27]
South Carolina Senate District 23 Republican Primary Election, 2024
During the 2021 decennial reapportionment, Democratic incumbents Nikki G. Setzler and Dick Harpootlian were drawn into the same district. Setzler, the longest serving state senator in office in the country, has chosen to retire rather than seek a thirteenth term.[28] State Representative Russell Ott defeated Dick Harpootlian for the Democratic nomination while Jason Guerry defeated Chris Smith for the Republican nomination.[29][30]
South Carolina Senate District 26 Republican Primary Election, 2024
Incumbent Republican Penry Gustafson ran for re-election, but was defeated in the Republican primary. Gustafson had drawn national attention during the previous legislative session when she joined with the chamber's other female senators, including two other Republicans, in a filibuster of a proposed total abortion ban.[26] Her actions drew the ire of the state Republican party, leading to her primary challenge, which she lost.[27]
South Carolina Senate District 27 Republican Primary Election, 2024
District 40 covers Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, and Orangeburg counties. Incumbent Brad Hutto has held the seat since 1996. If he retains the seat, it will mark his eighth full term. Bamberg Democrat Kendrick Brown has filed to challenge him in the primary, and Bamberg Republican Sharon Carter has filed to challenge the winner in the general election.[31]
South Carolina Senate District 40 Democratic Primary Election, 2024
Incumbent Republican Sandy Senn ran for re-election, but was defeated in the Republican primary. Senn had drawn national attention during the previous legislative session when she joined with the chamber's other female senators, including two other Republicans, in a filibuster of a proposed total abortion ban.[26] Her actions drew the ire of the state Republican party, leading to her primary challenge, which she lost.[27]
South Carolina Senate District 41 Republican Primary Election, 2024
