Incumbent SC senators in Richland, Lexington counties to keep their seats
Incumbent state senators from Richland and Lexington counties are headed for reelection.
By mid-afternoon, the Associated Press had called the six competitive state Senate races for incumbents, even as Richland elections officials continued counting absentee ballots.
One race turned out to be close: the contest for Columbia’s mostly downtown Senate district between state Sen. Dick Harpootlian and his Republican challenger Benjamin Dunn.
Harpootlian, a Columbia attorney and former prosecutor, faced a rematch challenge from fellow attorney Dunn, who Harpootlian bested by about 1,900 votes in 2018. Harpootlian became the first Democrat to represent the district, which stretches through downtown Columbia into parts of Irmo, in at least 30 years.
Harpootlian led Dunn by an even wider margin this year: about 2,400 more votes, or more than 4 percentage points.
“I’m humbled and gratified that the people in the district appreciated what I tried to do over the last two years,” Harpootlian said, vowing to continue to fight for “transparency and accountability” during his next term.
Harpootlian thanked supporters on Twitter: “District 20 is done with business as usual. Your overwhelming support has humbled me and I couldn’t have done this without you. I am proud to be a voice for the constituents in District 20 and all South Carolinians as I continue in service as your Senator.”
Sen. Mia McLeod also won reelection handily by about 12,000 votes against Republican opponent Lee Blatt. McLeod is a communications consultant who has represented parts of northeast Columbia in the Senate since 2016.
Senate Minority Leader Nikki Setzler, a Lexington Democrat who runs under the slogan “A caring conservative,” pulled out a win as well, besting opponent Chris Smith by about 3,800 votes, or 9 points, according to the State Election Commission. Setzler’s district, which includes Cayce and Lexington County, is a jurisdiction that heavily favored President Donald Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Other South Carolina senators whose districts encompass parts of Lexington and Richland counties, too, have also reclaimed more time in the South Carolina Legislature.
Republican Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, an attorney and Senate majority leader; pharmacist and small business owner Ronnie Cromer, R- Newberry; and insurance consultant Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, also won another term in the Legislature according to unofficial election results. All three won by wide margins.
This story was originally published November 4, 2020 at 1:06 AM.