South Carolina Republicans Continue to Make History

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9, 2022

Media contact: Claire Brady

(Columbia, S.C.) – In the 2022 election, South Carolina Republicans won big with historic victories across the state–flipping eight statehouse seats, seven county council seats, and several other local down ballot flips.

“A red wave swept across South Carolina from the coast all the way to the upstate and proved, yet again, what we already know–that this is a solid Republican state,” said South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick.

The SCGOP’s coordinated Victory Program, that works to elect the entire Republican ticket, was the largest it’s ever been for a midterm election, being five times bigger than the 2018 organization.

Since July, the Party knocked on 137,000 doors, compared to 15,000 in 2018, made 333,614 phone calls, sent 654,522 text messages, and sent almost two million pieces of mail.

“Wins like this don’t just happen. You have to work for it, and we have to do our job,” said Chairman McKissick. “We had a great operation with fantastic staff, great volunteers, great candidates, and a great message and that made all the difference.”

A large portion of the historic wins is attributed to the straight ticket vote. Republicans beat Democrats on the straight ticket vote by a record-breaking 27 points. Roughly one million people voted straight ticket, with 62% being Republican. Almost 60% of all Republican votes were cast straight ticket.

In 2016, Republicans beat Democrats on straight ticket voting for the first time in state history by 2.5 points. In 2018, Republicans beat Democrats on straight ticket by eight points. In 2020, Republicans beat Democrats on straight ticket by 17 points.

Highlights:

Governor McMaster won by 18 points (10 points higher than 2018)
Ellen Weaver won by 16 points in open race

We flipped 5 State House seats
Daniel Gibson (HD-12) McCormick and Greenwood Counties
Fawn Pedalino (HD-64) Clarendon and Sumter Counties
Matt Leber (HD-116) Charleston and Colleton Counties
Jordan Pace (HD-117) Berkeley County
Bill Hager (HD-122) Hampton and Jasper Counties
Gained 3 new ones
Carla Shuessler (HD-61) Horry County
David O’Neal (HD-66) Fort Mill Hill area
Kathy Landing (HD-80) Charleston County

Local races:

County Council:

Gained the majority of Charleston County Council
Flipped Clarendon County Council seat (District 1)
Almost flipped two
Flipped a Chesterfield County Council seat
Gained a Republican majority in Chesterfield
Flipped two Union County Council seats
Gained a majority
Won another countywide win in Chester County – county council at-large
Flipped a Jasper County Council seat
Fairfield County Council seat – “nonpartisan” but flipped to Republican

Probate Judge:

Flipped the Greenville County Probate Judge – making all courthouse offices in Greenville Republican
Flipped McCormick County Probate Judge

Auditor:

Flipped Jasper County Auditor

Treasurer:

Flipped Jasper County Treasurer

Sheriff:

Flipped Chesterfield County Sheriff

Misc:

Flipped Union County Supervisor

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