2020 South Carolina Senate election

The 2020 South Carolina State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 2020 United States elections. South Carolina voters elected state senators in all of the state's 46 senate districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the South Carolina Senate, with all of the seats up for election each cycle. The primary elections on June 9, 2020, determined which candidates appeared on the November 3, 2020, general election ballot.

2020 South Carolina Senate election

November 3, 2020
All 46 seats in the South Carolina Senate 24 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	66.3%
Leader Harvey S. Peeler Jr. Nikki G. Setzler Party Republican Democratic Leader since January 8, 2019 November 12, 2012 Leader's seat 14th 26th Seats before 27 19 Seats after 30 16 Seat change 3 3 Popular vote 1,399,659 924,535 Percentage 59.52% 39.31%
President pro-tempore before election Harvey S. Peeler Jr. Republican Elected President pro-tempore Harvey S. Peeler Jr. Republican

Following the previous election in 2016, Republicans had control of the South Carolina Senate with 27 seats to Democrats' 19 seats.

Results

Party		Votes		Seats
		No.	%	No.	+/−	%
	South Carolina Republican Party	1,399,659	59.52	30	+3	65.22
	South Carolina Democratic Party	924,535	39.31	16	-3	34.78
	Write-in	17,735	0.75	0	0	0.00
	Alliance Party	7,928	0.34	0	0	0.00
	Libertarian Party of South Carolina	1,909	0.08	0	0	0.00
Total		2,351,766	100.00	46	±0	100.00
Registered voters		3,547,181	100.00
Turnout		2,351,766	66.3
Source: South Carolina Election Commission[1]

Popular vote Republican   59.52% Democratic   39.31% Other   1.17%

Senate seats Republican   65.22% Democratic   34.78%

Summary

District	Incumbent	Party		Elected Senator	Party		Result
1st	Thomas C. Alexander		Rep	Thomas C. Alexander[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
2nd	Rex Rice		Rep	Rex Rice[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
3rd	Richard Cash		Rep	Richard Cash		Rep	Republican HOLD
4th	Michael Gambrell		Rep	Michael Gambrell		Rep	Republican HOLD
5th	Tom Corbin		Rep	Tom Corbin		Rep	Republican HOLD
6th	Dwight Loftis		Rep	Dwight Loftis		Rep	Republican HOLD
7th	Karl B. Allen		Dem	Karl B. Allen		Dem	Democratic HOLD
8th	Ross Turner		Rep	Ross Turner[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
9th	Danny Verdin		Rep	Danny Verdin[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
10th	Floyd Nicholson		Dem	Billy Garrett		Rep	Republican GAIN
11th	Glenn G. Reese		Dem	Josh Kimbrell		Rep	Republican GAIN
12th	Scott Talley		Rep	Scott Talley		Rep	Republican HOLD
13th	Shane Martin		Rep	Shane Martin[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
14th	Harvey S. Peeler Jr.		Rep	Harvey S. Peeler Jr.		Rep	Republican HOLD
15th	Wes Climer		Rep	Wes Climer		Rep	Republican HOLD
16th	Greg Gregory[lower-alpha 2]		Rep	Michael Johnson		Rep	Republican HOLD
17th	Mike Fanning		Dem	Mike Fanning		Dem	Democratic HOLD
18th	Ronnie Cromer		Rep	Ronnie Cromer		Rep	Republican HOLD
19th	John L. Scott Jr.		Dem	John L. Scott Jr.[lower-alpha 1]		Dem	Democratic HOLD
20th	Dick Harpootlian		Dem	Dick Harpootlian		Dem	Democratic HOLD
21st	Darrell Jackson		Dem	Darrell Jackson[lower-alpha 1]		Dem	Democratic HOLD
22nd	Mia McLeod		Dem	Mia McLeod		Dem	Democratic HOLD
23rd	Katrina Shealy		Rep	Katrina Shealy		Rep	Republican HOLD
24th	Tom Young Jr.		Rep	Tom Young Jr.		Rep	Republican HOLD
25th	A. Shane Massey		Rep	A. Shane Massey		Rep	Republican HOLD
26th	Nikki G. Setzler		Dem	Nikki G. Setzler		Dem	Democratic HOLD
27th	Vincent Sheheen		Dem	Penry Gustafson		Rep	Republican GAIN
28th	Greg Hembree		Rep	Greg Hembree[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
29th	Gerald Malloy		Dem	Gerald Malloy		Dem	Democratic HOLD
30th	Kent M. Williams		Dem	Kent M. Williams[lower-alpha 1]		Dem	Democratic HOLD
31st	Hugh Leatherman		Rep	Hugh Leatherman[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
32nd	Ronnie A. Sabb		Dem	Ronnie A. Sabb		Dem	Democratic HOLD
33rd	Luke A. Rankin		Rep	Luke A. Rankin[lower-alpha 1]		Rep	Republican HOLD
34th	Stephen Goldfinch		Rep	Stephen Goldfinch		Rep	Republican HOLD
35th	Thomas McElveen		Dem	Thomas McElveen[lower-alpha 1]		Dem	Democratic HOLD
36th	Kevin L. Johnson		Dem	Kevin L. Johnson		Dem	Democratic HOLD
37th	Larry Grooms		Rep	Larry Grooms		Rep	Republican HOLD
38th	Sean Bennett		Rep	Sean Bennett		Rep	Republican HOLD
39th	John W. Matthews Jr.[lower-alpha 2]		Dem	Vernon Stephens		Dem	Democratic HOLD
40th	Brad Hutto		Dem	Brad Hutto[lower-alpha 1]		Dem	Democratic HOLD
41st	Sandy Senn		Rep	Sandy Senn		Rep	Republican HOLD
42nd	Marlon Kimpson		Dem	Marlon Kimpson[lower-alpha 1]		Dem	Democratic HOLD
43rd	Chip Campsen		Rep	Chip Campsen		Rep	Republican HOLD
44th	Paul G. Campbell Jr.[lower-alpha 2]		Rep	Brian Adams		Rep	Republican HOLD
45th	Margie Bright Matthews		Dem	Margie Bright Matthews		Dem	Democratic HOLD
46th	Tom Davis		Rep	Tom Davis		Rep	Republican HOLD

1. Running unopposed in the general election.
2. Not seeking reelection, therefore this seat is open.

Outgoing incumbents

Retiring

Three incumbent senators are not seeking re-election in 2020, leaving three open seats.

• Greg Gregory (R–Lancaster), representing District 16 from 1992–2008 and then since 2011. He announced that he would not be seeking re-election on October 23, 2019.[2]
• John W. Matthews Jr. (D–Orangeburg), representing District 39 since 1984. He had previously served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1975–1984. He announced that he would not be seeking re-election on March 10, 2020.[3]
• Paul G. Campbell Jr. (R–Berkeley), representing District 44 since 2007. He announced that he would not be seeking re-election on March 23, 2020.[4]

Defeated

No incumbents were defeated in their primaries. Luke A. Rankin (R–Horry), who has represented District 33 since 1992, was the only incumbent whose primary was forced to go to a runoff, after he failed to obtain 50% of the vote in his primary. The runoff took place on June 23, 2020,[5] between Rankin and challenger John Gallman, and was won by Rankin.[6]

Detailed results

District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40 • District 41 • District 42 • District 43 • District 44 • District 45 • District 46

District 1

Incumbent Thomas C. Alexander ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election.[7]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas C. Alexander	39,794	98.0
	Write-in		804	2.0
Total votes			40,598	100.0
	Republican hold

District 2

Incumbent Rex Rice ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election.[7]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Rex Rice	44,116	98.1
	Write-in		856	1.9
Total votes			44,972	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3

Incumbent Richard Cash faced opposition in the Republican primary.[8] Judith Polson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[9]

Republican Primary[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard Cash (incumbent)	9,411	56.8
	Republican	Craig Wooten	7,169	43.2
Total votes			16,580	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard Cash (incumbent)	44,446	74.0
	Democratic	Judith Polson	15,533	25.9
	Write-in		55	0.1
Total votes			60,034	100.0
	Republican hold

District 4

Incumbent Michael Gambrell ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Jose Villa ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[9][11]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael Gambrell (incumbent)	31,129	72.7
	Democratic	Jose Villa	11,651	27.2
	Write-in		33	0.1
Total votes			42,813	100.0
	Republican hold

District 5

Incumbent Tom Corbin faced opposition in the Republican primary.[12] Michael McCord ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Republican Primary[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Corbin (incumbent)	9,254	70.4
	Republican	Dave Edwards	3,896	29.6
Total votes			13,150	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Corbin (incumbent)	44,808	76.1
	Democratic	Michael McCord	14,013	23.8
	Write-in		39	0.1
Total votes			58,860	100.0
	Republican hold

District 6

Incumbent Dwight Loftis ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Hao Wu ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[11]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dwight Loftis (incumbent)	33,300	65.1
	Democratic	Hao Wu	17,768	34.8
	Write-in		61	0.1
Total votes			51,129	100.0
	Republican hold

District 7

Incumbent Karl B. Allen faced opposition in the Democratic primary. Jack Logan ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[14]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karl B. Allen (incumbent)	6,208	70.1
	Democratic	Fletcher Smith	2,645	29.9
Total votes			8,853	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karl B. Allen (incumbent)	26,672	62.5
	Republican	Jack Logan	15,886	37.2
	Write-in		107	0.3
Total votes			42,665	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 8

Incumbent Ross Turner faced opposition in the Republican primary, but ran unopposed in the general election.[15]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ross Turner (incumbent)	9,435	68.2
	Republican	Janice Curtis	4,399	31.8
Total votes			13,834	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ross Turner (incumbent)	49,180	96.4
	Write-in		1,859	3.6
Total votes			51,039	100.0
	Republican hold

District 9

Incumbent Danny Verdin ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election.[16]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Danny Verdin (incumbent)	39,049	96.9
	Write-in		1,230	3.1
Total votes			40,279	100.0
	Republican hold

District 10

Incumbent Floyd Nicholson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Two candidates ran in the Republican primary.[17]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Billy Garrett	5,406	53.5
	Republican	Bryan Hope	4,698	46.5
Total votes			10,104	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Billy Garrett	23,989	56.0
	Democratic	Floyd Nicholson (incumbent)	18,841	43.9
	Write-in		40	0.1
Total votes			42,870	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic

District 11

Incumbent Glenn Reese ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Josh Kimbrell ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[18]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Josh Kimbrell	26,117	55.3
	Democratic	Glenn Reese (incumbent)	21,005	44.5
	Write-in		75	0.2
Total votes			47,197	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic

District 12

Incumbent Scott Talley faced opposition in the Republican primary. Dawn Bingham ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[19]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Scott Talley (incumbent)	8,011	52.8
	Republican	Mark Lynch	7,157	47.2
Total votes			15,168	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Scott Talley (incumbent)	42,201	64.9
	Democratic	Dawn Bingham	22,759	35.0
	Write-in		104	0.1
Total votes			65,064	100.0
	Republican hold

District 13

Incumbent Shane Martin ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Shane Martin (incumbent)	43,138	97.2
	Write-in		1,260	2.8
Total votes			44,398	100.0
	Republican hold

District 14

Incumbent Harvey S. Peeler Jr. ran unopposed in the Republican primary, but faced opposition from a third-party candidate in the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harvey S. Peeler Jr. (incumbent)	42,377	83.9
	Alliance	Sarah Work	7,928	15.7
	Write-in		229	0.4
Total votes			50,534	100.0
	Republican hold

District 15

Incumbent Wes Climer ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Vickie Holt ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wes Climer (incumbent)	39,121	60.2
	Democratic	Vickie Holt	25,848	39.8
	Write-in		48	0.1
Total votes			65,017	100.0
	Republican hold

District 16

This seat was one of three open seats in this election cycle. Four candidates ran in the Republican primary, with two advancing to a runoff.[21] Ramin Mammadov ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Nichols	4,203	31.9
	Republican	Michael Johnson	3,583	27.2
	Republican	Kristen Blanchard	3,483	26.4
	Republican	Mike Neese	1,922	14.6
Total votes			13,191	100.0

Republican Primary Runoff

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael Johnson	4,686	54.8
	Republican	Tom Nichols	3,864	45.2
Total votes			8,550	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael Johnson	48,801	63.2
	Democratic	Ramin Mammadov	28,287	36.7
	Write-in		64	0.1
Total votes			77,152	100.0
	Republican hold

District 17

Incumbent Mike Fanning faced opposition in the Democratic primary.[22] Erin Mosley ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[20]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Fanning (incumbent)	7,823	67.9
	Democratic	MaryGail Douglas	3,694	32.1
Total votes			11,517	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Fanning (incumbent)	26,724	51.5
	Republican	Erin Mosley	25,114	48.4
	Write-in		47	0.1
Total votes			51,885	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 18

Incumbent Ronnie Cromer faced opposition in the Republican primary.[23] Christopher Thibault ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ronnie Cromer (incumbent)	10,331	62.1
	Republican	Charles Bumgardner	6,294	37.9
Total votes			16,625	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ronnie Cromer (incumbent)	46,032	72.2
	Democratic	Christopher Thibault	17,639	27.7
	Write-in		64	0.1
Total votes			63,735	100.0
	Republican hold

District 19

Incumbent John L. Scott Jr. ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John L. Scott Jr. (incumbent)	42,097	98.8
	Write-in		528	1.2
Total votes			42,625	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 20

Incumbent Dick Harpootlian ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20] Two candidates ran in the Republican primary.[24]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Benjamin Dunn	5,942	71.5
	Republican	Randy Dickey	2,365	28.5
Total votes			8,307	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dick Harpootlian (incumbent)	29,227	53.2
	Republican	Benjamin Dunn	25,562	46.6
	Write-in		108	0.2
Total votes			54,897	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 21

Incumbent Darrell Jackson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Darrell Jackson (incumbent)	33,279	97.9
	Write-in		711	2.1
Total votes			33,990	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 22

Incumbent Mia McLeod ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20] Two candidates ran in the Republican primary.[25]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lee Blatt	3,393	75.8
	Republican	David Larsen	1,081	24.2
Total votes			4,474	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mia McLeod (incumbent)	35,438	62.2
	Republican	Lee Blatt	21,525	37.8
	Write-in		43	0.1
Total votes			57,006	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 23

Incumbent Katrina Shealy ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Bill Brown ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Katrina Shealy (incumbent)	34,050	72.5
	Democratic	Bill Brown	12,849	27.4
	Write-in		60	0.1
Total votes			46,959	100.0
	Republican hold

District 24

Incumbent Tom Young Jr. ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Lisa Williams was set to run unopposed in the Democratic primary, but withdrew before it took place.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Young Jr. (incumbent)	43,148	97.0
	Write-in		1,353	3.0
Total votes			44,501	100.0
	Republican hold

District 25

Incumbent A. Shane Massey faced opposition in the Republican primary.[26] Shirley Green Fayson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	A. Shane Massey (incumbent)	10,339	78.8
	Republican	Susan Swanson	2,775	21.2
Total votes			13,114	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	A. Shane Massey (incumbent)	37,009	69.5
	Democratic	Shirley Green Fayson	16,153	30.4
	Write-in		49	0.1
Total votes			53,211	100.0
	Republican hold

District 26

Incumbent Nikki G. Setzler ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20] Two candidates ran in the Republican primary.[27]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chris Smith	6,655	68.8
	Republican	Perry Finch	3,020	31.2
Total votes			9,675	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Nikki G. Setzler (incumbent)	23,378	54.4
	Republican	Chris Smith	19,538	45.5
	Write-in		38	0.1
Total votes			42,954	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 27

Incumbent Vincent Sheheen ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Penry Gustafson ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Penry Gustafson	22,294	51.0
	Democratic	Vincent Sheheen (incumbent)	21,406	48.9
	Write-in		41	0.1
Total votes			43,741	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic

District 28

Incumbent Greg Hembree ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Greg Hembree (incumbent)	48,996	98.4
	Write-in		817	1.6
Total votes			49,813	100.0
	Republican hold

District 29

Incumbent Gerald Malloy ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20] Two candidates ran in the Republican primary.[28]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	J.D. Chaplin	4,153	82.4
	Republican	Ronald Page	887	17.6
Total votes			5,040	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gerald Malloy (incumbent)	22,877	53.7
	Republican	J.D. Chaplin	19,693	46.2
	Write-in		60	0.1
Total votes			42,630
	Democratic hold

District 30

Incumbent Kent M. Williams faced opposition in the Democratic primary,[29] but ran unopposed in the general election.[20]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kent M. Williams (incumbent)	13,118	76.7
	Democratic	Patrick Richardson	3,978	23.3
Total votes			17,096	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kent M. Williams (incumbent)	32,882	97.9
	Write-in		703	2.1
Total votes			33,585	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 31

Incumbent Hugh Leatherman ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Hugh Leatherman (incumbent)	37,168	97.3
	Write-in		1,035	2.7
Total votes			38,203	100.0
	Republican hold

District 32

Incumbent Ronnie A. Sabb faced opposition in the Democratic primary.[30] David Ellison ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[20]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ronnie A. Sabb (incumbent)	9,492	71.2
	Democratic	Ted Brown	2,128	16.0
	Democratic	Kelly Spann Jr.	1,471	11.0
	Democratic	Manley Collins	237	1.8
Total votes			13,328	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ronnie A. Sabb (incumbent)	27,284	60.6
	Republican	David Ellison	17,714	39.3
	Write-in		54	0.1
Total votes			45,052	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 33

Incumbent Luke A. Rankin faced opposition in the Republican primary, but ran unopposed in the general election.[6]

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Luke A. Rankin (incumbent)	4,915	40.2
	Republican	John Gallman	4,210	34.4
	Republican	Carter Smith	3,105	25.4
Total votes			12,320	100.0

Republican Primary Runoff

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Luke A. Rankin (incumbent)	6,222	58.4
	Republican	John Gallman	4,430	41.6
Total votes			10,652	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Luke A. Rankin (incumbent)	49,492	97.0
	Write-in		1,538	3.0
Total votes			51,030	100.0
	Republican hold

District 34

Incumbent Stephen Goldfinch ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Emily Cegledy ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Stephen Goldfinch (incumbent)	54,384	66.7
	Democratic	Emily Cegledy	27,081	33.2
	Write-in		66	0.1
Total votes			81,531	100.0
	Republican hold

District 35

Incumbent Thomas McElveen ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas McElveen (incumbent)	36,210	96.2
	Write-in		1,433	3.8
Total votes			37,643	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 36

Incumbent Kevin L. Johnson faced opposition in the Democratic primary.[31] Leon Winn ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[20]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kevin L. Johnson (incumbent)	7,106	74.9
	Democratic	Eleazer Carter	2,376	25.1
Total votes			9,482	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kevin L. Johnson (incumbent)	25,183	57.4
	Republican	Leon Winn	18,611	42.5
	Write-in		44	0.1
Total votes			43,838	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 37

Incumbent Larry Grooms ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Kathryn Whitaker ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. A third-party candidate also contested the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Larry Grooms (incumbent)	42,915	58.7
	Democratic	Kathryn Whitaker	28,266	38.6
	Libertarian	Steve French	1,909	2.6
	Write-in		58	0.1
Total votes			73,148	100.0
	Republican hold

District 38

Incumbent Sean Bennett ran unopposed in the Republican primary. John Lowe ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sean Bennett (incumbent)	35,068	58.8
	Democratic	John Lowe	24,462	41.1
	Write-in		66	0.1
Total votes			59,596	100.0
	Republican hold

District 39

This seat was one of three open seats in this election cycle. Four candidates ran in the Democratic primary, with two advancing to a runoff.[32] Tom Connor ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[20]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Vernon Stephens	4,901	41.4
	Democratic	Cindy Evans	4,624	38.8
	Democratic	William Johnson	1,864	15.6
	Democratic	Jerry Montgomery	532	4.5
Total votes			11,921	100.0

Democratic Primary Runoff

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Vernon Stephens	3,968	65.2
	Democratic	Cindy Evans	2,120	34.8
Total votes			6,088	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Vernon Stephens	25,351	56.5
	Republican	Tom Connor	19,500	43.4
	Write-in		38	0.1
Total votes			44,889	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 40

Incumbent Brad Hutto faced opposition in the Democratic primary,[33] but ran unopposed in the general election.[20]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brad Hutto (incumbent)	10,750	71.0
	Democratic	Michael Addison	4,400	29.0
Total votes			15,150	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brad Hutto (incumbent)	28,958	97.6
	Write-in		726	2.4
Total votes			29,684	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 41

Incumbent Sandy Senn faced no opposition in the Republican primary.[20] Two candidates ran in the Democratic primary.[34]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sam Skardon	6,672	63.0
	Democratic	Jason Mills	3,911	37.0
Total votes			10,583	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sandy Senn (incumbent)	37,234	50.9
	Democratic	Sam Skardon	35,926	49.0
	Write-in		60	0.1
Total votes			73,220	100.0
	Republican hold

District 42

Incumbent Marlon Kimpson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and the general election.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Marlon Kimpson (incumbent)	35,299	98.0
	Write-in		705	2.0
Total votes			36,004	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 43

Incumbent Chip Campsen ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Richard Hricik ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chip Campsen (incumbent)	37,938	56.2
	Democratic	Richard Hricik	29,550	43.7
	Write-in		59	0.1
Total votes			67,547	100.0
	Republican hold

District 44

This seat was one of three open seats in this election cycle. Two candidates ran in the Democratic primary, and two candidates ran in the Republican primary.[35]

Democratic Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Debbie Bryant	5,479	85.6
	Democratic	Kris DeLorme	924	14.4
Total votes			6,403	100.0

Republican Primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brian Adams	6,318	61.3
	Republican	Gayla McSwain	3,983	38.7
Total votes			10,301	100.0

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brian Adams	31,472	57.0
	Democratic	Debbie Bryant	23,667	42.9
	Write-in		61	0.1
Total votes			55,200	100.0
	Republican hold

District 45

Incumbent Margie Bright Matthews ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Rodney Buncom ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Margie Bright Matthews (incumbent)	28,767	59.4
	Republican	Rodney Buncum	19,608	40.5
	Write-in		47	0.1
Total votes			48,422	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 46

Incumbent Tom Davis ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Nathan Campbell ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[20]

General Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Davis (incumbent)	48,142	65.7
	Democratic	Nathan Campbell	25,045	34.2
	Write-in		42	0.1
Total votes			73,229	100.0
	Republican hold

Margins of victory

Primaries District Primary Margin 39 Democratic 02.6% 16 Republican 04.7% 12 Republican 05.6% 33 Republican 05.8% 10 Republican 07.0% 3 Republican 13.6% 44 Republican 22.6% 18 Democratic 24.2% 41 Democratic 26.0% 7 Democratic 30.4% 17 Democratic 35.8% 8 Republican 36.4% 26 Republican 37.6% 7 Democratic 40.2% 5 Republican 40.8% 40 Democratic 42.0% 20 Republican 43.0% 36 Democratic 49.8% 22 Republican 51.6% 30 Democratic 53.4% 32 Democratic 55.2% 25 Republican 57.6% 29 Republican 64.8% 44 Democratic 71.2%

Primary Runoffs District Primary Margin 16 Republican 09.6% 33 Republican 16.8% 39 Democratic 30.4%

General Elections District Winning Party Margin 41 Republican 01.9% 27 Republican 02.1% 17 Democratic 03.1% 20 Democratic 06.6% 29 Democratic 07.5% 26 Democratic 08.9% 11 Republican 10.8% 10 Republican 12.1% 43 Republican 12.5% 39 Democratic 13.1% 44 Republican 14.1% 36 Democratic 14.9% 38 Republican 17.7% 45 Democratic 18.9% 37 Republican 20.1% 15 Republican 20.4% 32 Democratic 21.3% 22 Democratic 24.4% 7 Republican 25.3% 16 Republican 26.5% 12 Republican 29.9% 6 Republican 30.3% 46 Republican 31.5% 34 Republican 33.5% 25 Republican 39.1% 18 Republican 44.5% 23 Republican 45.1% 4 Republican 45.5% 3 Republican 48.1% 5 Republican 52.3% 14 Republican 68.2% Uncontested elections are not included.

See also

• 2020 South Carolina elections
• 2020 United States elections
• 2020 South Carolina Democratic presidential primary
• 2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina
• 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina
• South Carolina Senate

References

1. "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
2. "Longtime SC Sen. Gregory Won't Run For Reelection In 2020". wfae.org. October 23, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
3. Huff, Christopher (March 10, 2020). "State Sen. John Matthews will not seek re-election". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
4. DeRobbio, Daniella (March 23, 2020). "SC State Senator Paul Campbell won't seek re-election". WCIV. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
5. Boschult, Christian (June 10, 2020). "Rankin and Gallman face off in runoff". MyHorryNews.com. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
6. "Rankin wins runoff election for District 33 state senate seat, according to unofficial results". wmbfnews.com. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
7. "Saitta, Wilson take council seats". yourpickenscounty.com. 10 June 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
8. Brown, Kirk. "Incumbent Richard Cash faces Craig Wooten in SC Senate District 3 Republican primary". Independent Mail. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
9. Brown, Kirk. "South Carolina elections: Here's who is running for office in Anderson County". Independent Mail. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
10. "STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 3 - REP". Retrieved June 13, 2020.
11. "Statehouse Report – NEW for 4/3: Who's running and who's not; Sanford; Hard times ahead; Elections". www.statehousereport.com. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
12. Matney, Mandy (June 10, 2020). "SC Senator Known For Calling Women 'A Lesser Cut Of Meat' Won Primary". FitsNews. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
13. "STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 5 - REP". Retrieved June 13, 2020.
14. Cary, Nathaniel. "Rep. Bill Chumley, Chris Bennett in runoff in House District 35. Other incumbents sweep". The Greenville News. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
15. Dean, Rochelle (10 June 2020). "SC preliminary Primary Election results". ABC Columbia. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
16. "2020 local election field taking shape". The Laurens County Advertiser. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
17. Hicks, James. "Garrett wins GOP nod for senate seat". Index-Journal. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
18. Montgomery, Bob. "Josh Kimbrell to challenge Glenn Reese for state Senate seat". GoUpstate. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
19. Montgomery, Bob. "Talley wins GOP primary in District 12 Senate race". GoUpstate. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
20. "SC-Uncontested". Columbia Basin Herald. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
21. "Johnson wins Senate 16 runoff | TheLancasterNews.com". www.thelancasternews.com. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
22. Ball, Barbara (2 April 2020). "Fanning, McDaniel facing challengers". The Independent Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
23. "State Senate, District 18 Candidate Q&A". Newberry Observer. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
24. "Dunn to face Dick Harpootlian November 3rd". www.nathansnews.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
25. "STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 22 - REP". Retrieved 12 July 2020.
26. Hicks, James. "Sen. Shane Massey fends off primary challenge". Index-Journal. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
27. Harris, Bradley. "Incumbents challenged in Bamberg, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
28. "Election 2020 -- Candidate Q&A: State Senate District 29". The Sumter Item. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
29. "Voter turnout at 26 percent in primary". Heraldadvocate.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
30. "Senate Seat 32 race offers choices". The News. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
31. McElveen, Jake. "Johnson wins Senate primary; to face off against Winn in November". Manning Live. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
32. Harris, Bradley. "Stephens wins runoff; Democrat will face GOP candidate for Senate 39 seat". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
33. "Dr. Michael Addison to challenge incumbent Senator Brad Hutto for S.C. Senate District 40 seat". WJBF. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
34. Lovegrove, Jamie. "Lowcountry emerges as key SC Statehouse battleground for 2020 races". Post and Courier. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
35. Novelly, Thomas. "Favorites and incumbents take leads in Berkeley County primary election results". Post and Courier. Retrieved 12 July 2020.

External links

• Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association, "South Carolina", Voting & Elections Toolkits
• "South Carolina: Election Tools, Deadlines, Dates, Rules, and Links", Vote.org, Oakland, CA
• "League of Women Voters of South Carolina". (State affiliate of the U.S. League of Women Voters)
• South Carolina at Ballotpedia