SC state senator insinuates group tried to buy his vote then later walks it back
State Sen. Tom Fernandez, R-Dorchester, had to clarify comments Tuesday after he implied a potential quid-pro-quo if he votes against a tort reform bill.
“The trial lawyer lobby has offered me campaign fundraisers in the amount of $50,000 to $100,000 per campaign, if I voted against this, did you know that?” Fernandez said in an exchange with state Sen. Michael Johnson, R-York.
The comments came on the day the full state Senate began debate on a bill to reform the state’s tort and insurance liability laws and requirements.
Senators have held hearings with hours of testimony on this bill for the last several weeks in committee. Discussion of the bill even has led to social media attacks on senators.
The Senate Tuesday immediately stood at ease after the comments and Fernandez later discontinued his line of questioning.
Fernandez later issued a statement to clarify his comments where he said senators had been hearing from interested parties on sides of the debate.
“Interested parties for and against the bill have indicated their willingness to host fundraisers on my behalf, however, I did not perceive these offers as a quid-pro-quo in exchange for my vote on this bill, nor do I believe that was the intention of those interested parties,” Fernandez said.
“I did not intend to accuse anyone of wrongdoing, but to simply highlight the realities of how legislative debates unfold, publicly and behind the scenes,” Fernandez added.
This story was originally published March 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM.
