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 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.
Following the previous election in 2016, Republicans had control of the South Carolina Senate with 27 seats to Democrats' 19 seats.
Special Election
District 3 (May 30, 2017)
Following the succession of Republican Kevin Bryant to Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina,[1] the seat for District 3 became vacant. A primary was held April 11, a primary runoff was held on April 25, and the special election took place on May 30, 2017. The primary field was initially crowded with eight candidates including:[2]
Bryant endorsed Cash,[6][7] and Cash ultimately won the primary after a head-to-head runoff with Burdette.[8] Although he faced an uncontested general election, a last minute write-in effort was attempted. The majority of the write-ins were for Burdette, though she denied participating in the effort. Ultimately, the effort failed and Cash received almost 82% of the vote.[9][10]
South Carolina Senate District 3 Special Election Republican Primary
In March 2017, Republican John Courson was suspended from his seat on charges of corruption in the South Carolina State House. After pleading guilty to misconduct in office, he resigned in June, triggering a special election.[11] Democratic and Republican primaries were held on August 14, a Republican primary runoff was held on August 28, and a special election was held on November 6, concurrently with the 2018 South Carolina House of Representatives election.[12] Ultimately, Courson would escape jail time and only be required to perform 100 hours of community service for using campaign funds for personal expenses.[13]
South Carolina Senate District 20 Special Election Republican Primary
Greg Gregory (R–Lancaster), representing District 16 from 1992–2008 and then since 2011. He announced that he would not seek re-election on October 23, 2019.[18]
Paul G. Campbell Jr. (R–Berkeley), representing District 44 since 2007. He announced that he would not seek re-election on March 23, 2020.[19]
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 a majority share of the vote. The runoff took place on June 23, 2020,[20] between Rankin and challenger John Gallman, and was won by Rankin.[21]
District 1 covers parts of Oconee and Pickens Counties. Incumbent Thomas C. Alexander ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election. He was reelected to a seventh full-term in the Senate.[23]
South Carolina Senate District 1 General Election, 2020
District 2 is a part of Pickens County. Incumbent Rex Rice ran unopposed in the Republican primary and the general election. He was reelected to his second term in office.[23]
South Carolina Senate District 2 General Election, 2020
District 3 consists of the Northern parts of Anderson County.
Incumbent Richard Cash was challenged by Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten in the Republican Primary.[24] Both candidates took conservative stances, opposing abortion and illegal immigration while supporting the Second Amendment, economic development in the wake of COVID-19, and infrastructure improvements. Cash framed his candidacy around being a proven conservative who introduced legislation to stop abortions in South Carolina and to expand the rights to conceal-carry weapons. In contrast, Wooten framed himself as a less absolutist, more pragmatic conservative who sought to politically elevate Anderson County to the level of other major areas in South Carolina, such as Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia. During the primary race, over $150,000 was raised, and Cash was endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund, Republican Liberty Caucus, and South Carolina Citizens for Life.[25] Cash defeated Wooten with 57% of the vote.[26][27]
Retired teacher Judith Polson ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[28] In the general election, Cash was again endorsed by the same groups with the addition of the SC Chamber of Commerce.[29] Cash was reelected with 74% of the vote, marking his first election to a full term.[30][31]
South Carolina Senate District 3 Republican Primary Election, 2020
District 4 is made up of parts of Abbeville, Anderson and Greenwood Counties. Incumbent Michael Gambrell ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Jose Villa ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[28][32] In the general election, Villa campaigned on Medicaid expansion and education and criminal justice reform. However, Gambrell defeated him with 73% of the vote, and was elected to his second term.[33]
South Carolina Senate District 4 General Election, 2020
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.[42] Ramin Mammadov ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[41]
South Carolina Senate District 16 Republican Primary Election, 2020
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.[41]
South Carolina Senate District 24 General Election, 2020
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.[41]
South Carolina Senate District 37 General Election, 2020
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.[53] Tom Connor ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[41]
South Carolina Senate District 39 Democratic Primary Election, 2020
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.[56]
South Carolina Senate District 44 Democratic Primary Election, 2020
