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]
Workers Party of South Carolina: Formerly Labor 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 passed away in November of 2021, a special election was held to fill his seat for representing 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
Nikki G. Setzler (D-West Columbia), representing District 8 from 1976–1984 and then representing District 26 since 1985. He announced that he would not be seeking re-election on January 10, 2024.[15]
Thomas McElveen (D-Sumter), representing District 35 since 2012. He announced that he would not be seeking re-election on March 4, 2024.[16]
Scott Talley (R-Spartanburg) previously represented District 34 in the South Carolina Representatives from 2000 to 2008. In 2016, he was elected to represent the 12th Senate District. In 2022, he announced he would not be seeking reelection.[17]
Mia McLeod (I-Richland), representing House District 79 from 2011 to 2016 and Senate District 22 since 2017, covering parts of the Columbia area. After leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent in 2023,[18] on April 1st, 2024, she announced she would not be seeking re-election.[19]
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.[21]
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.[21]
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,[22][23] will seek to unseat him in the general election.[24]
South Carolina Senate District 3 General Election, 2024
