Race to succeed the late John Scott in SC Senate begins to take shape. Who’s running so far?
Two high-profile Columbia-area Democrats are among those jumping into the race to succeed late state Sen. John Scott. And late Monday, a third candidate threw his hat into the ring, too.
State Rep. Kambrell Garvin, D-Richland, announced his candidacy Monday, while Tameika Isaac Devine told The State she intends to launch her campaign after Labor Day.
Their plans to file for the state Senate District 19 seat will set off a sprint to the Oct. 24 Democratic primary, which is expected to decide who will finish Scott’s term.
In 2020, Scott, who died Aug. 13 from an undisclosed cause, ran unopposed in the heavily Democratic district.
Official filing for the race takes place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 9.
The special election is scheduled for Jan. 2. Whoever wins is expected to be seated for the first day of the legislative session, which begins Jan. 9. The term will last through the end of 2024 as the entire state Senate will be up for election next year.
“I am committed to moving our community and state forward by ensuring that we have good paying jobs, the best infrastructure, access to quality health care, good schools and safe communities,” Garvin posted on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.
Garvin, a 31-year-old Blythewood attorney, was first elected to the state House in 2018. He serves on the Education and Public Works Committee and Legislative Oversight Committee.
Garvin has a bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University, a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from the University of South Carolina.
“This election is about the future of our community and state and provides an opportunity for a new generation of leaders to serve,” Garvin said in a news release.
Devine, a 50-year-old former Columbia City Council member and who ran for mayor against Daniel Rickenmann in 2021, would become the sixth woman in the state Senate if she’s elected.
“We bring different perspectives,” Devine said. “We’re really solution oriented. I think it’s critical when you look at 51% of our state being female, but having five women in the Senate that makes huge decisions that affects our state, I think that is critically important. I’m not asking anyone to vote for me because I’m a woman. I think that’s the cherry on the top.”
Devine was elected as City Council member at-large in 2002, when she became the first Black woman to serve on the Columbia City Council. She sat on the council for 20 years.
“Although I’m not in elected office anymore, my public service to the community has never stopped over the last year and a half,” said Devine, a real estate and probate attorney. “I’ve probably been busier working in the community on a grassroots level, working with community organizations. I’ve always felt there’s more I can do and contribute to the community.”
Late Monday, Javar Juarez, the senior director of the Broad River Business Alliance, announced his candidacy.
The alliance includes business owners, notaries, educators, community members and volunteers, according to its website.
“I’m championing efforts to prepare our community members to launch businesses right here, leading to job creation and an economic uplift,” Juarez said. “Our district is a reservoir of talent and innovation, with our youth at its heart, ready to present fresh ideas and services. Central to my agenda is promoting programs that link our citizens to private sector investments.”
This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 11:53 AM.
