99chambers

State legislative chamber · upper house

South Carolina State Senate

46 senators serving 4-year terms, in staggered classes. Not on the 2026 ballot; next elected in 2028.

46 seats4-year termsNext election Nov 7, 2028

Control now

12Dem.Republican majority34Rep.

24 seats make a majority.

South Carolina government from January: Governor Rep. · Senate Rep. 12–34 · House of Representatives Rep. 45–78. Overall: a Republican trifecta.

Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race callsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:01 PM ET

The 46 seats

Seats by party. All members are elected together.

  • Dem.
  • Rep.
12–34

Thresholds

24 majority31 veto override

Republicans hold at least 31 seats, the veto override threshold.

Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race callsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:01 PM ET

Where the senators stand

Every current senator placed by roll-call votes, 2025–2026 session: from most liberal on the left to most conservative on the right. Lines mark each party’s median; ringed dots are party leaders.

−1.00−0.500.000.501.00← More liberalMore conservative →Dem. median −0.26Rep. median 0.26−1.00−0.500.000.501.00← More liberalMore conservative →Dem. median −0.26Rep. median 0.26
  • Dem.
  • Rep.

Each member is placed by their roll-call votes on a scale from −1 (most liberal) to 1 (most conservative), estimated from contested votes this session.

Source: 99chambers roll-call scaling of Open States votesUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 5:01 PM ET

Senators

SeatSenatorPartySince2026 marginSeat leanScoreNext upRole
SD-1Tom AlexanderRep.1996—R+43.90.262028
SD-2Rex RiceRep.2016—R+56.80.362028
SD-3Richard CashRep.2020—R+47.40.382028
SD-4Mike GambrellRep.2016—R+44.00.222028
SD-5Tom CorbinRep.2012—R+51.70.422028
SD-6Jason ElliottRep.2024—R+25.10.182028
SD-7Karl AllenDem.2012—D+19.1−0.262028
SD-8Ross TurnerRep.2012—R+19.10.222028
SD-9Danny VerdinRep.2000—R+35.00.252028
SD-10Billy GarrettRep.2020—R+38.00.342028
SD-11Josh KimbrellRep.2020—R+27.30.292028
SD-12Lee BrightRep.2025—R+23.91.002028
SD-13Shane MartinRep.2008—R+34.00.332028
SD-14Harvey PeelerRep.1996—R+52.10.302028
SD-15Wes ClimerRep.2016—R+23.30.372028
SD-16Michael JohnsonRep.2020—R+15.70.242028
SD-17Everett StubbsRep.2024—R+0.40.232028
SD-18Ronnie CromerRep.2004—R+29.40.222028
SD-19Tameika Isaac DevineDem.2024—D+57.7−0.262028
SD-20Ed SuttonDem.2024—D+18.0−0.222028
SD-21Darrell JacksonDem.1992—D+49.2−0.152028
SD-22Overture WalkerDem.2024—D+30.0−0.292028
SD-23Carlisle KennedyRep.2024—R+38.70.432028
SD-24Tom YoungRep.2012—R+23.70.272028
SD-25Shane MasseyRep.2008—R+32.60.392028
SD-26Russell OttDem.2024—D+1.5−0.162028
SD-27Allen BlackmonRep.2024—R+34.90.272028
SD-28Greg HembreeRep.2012—R+41.20.232028
SD-29J.D. ChaplinRep.2024—R+0.90.212028
SD-30Kent WilliamsDem.2004—R+3.4−0.082028
SD-31Mike ReichenbachRep.2024—R+19.80.362028
SD-32Ronnie SabbDem.2014—D+5.3−0.292028
SD-33Luke RankinRep.1992—R+28.10.082028
SD-34Stephen GoldfinchRep.2016—R+37.40.222028
SD-35Jeffrey GrahamDem.2024—D+5.0−0.252028
SD-36Jeff ZellRep.2024—R+0.40.142028
SD-37Larry GroomsRep.2000—R+20.10.262028
SD-38Sean BennettRep.2012—R+17.50.232028
SD-39Tom FernandezRep.2024—R+1.70.692028
SD-40Brad HuttoDem.1996—D+2.7−0.312028
SD-41Matt LeberRep.2024—R+11.70.382028
SD-42Deon TedderDem.2024—D+42.4−0.332028
SD-43Chip CampsenRep.2004—R+10.20.202028
SD-44Brian AdamsRep.2020—R+12.90.182028
SD-45Margie Bright MatthewsDem.2016—D+9.2−0.782028
SD-46Tom DavisRep.2008—R+19.10.152028

Margin: the 2026 winning margin, in points. Seat lean: the seat’s vote against the nation, D − R. Score: roll-call placement, −1 most liberal to 1 most conservative.

Source: Open States members; 2026 results: civicAPIUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:01 PM ET

Control since 1972

The larger party’s seat lead after each election. Above the line, Democrats held more seats; below, Republicans.

D +40EvenR +401980200020202024

Source: 99chambers chamber history (Klarner state legislative returns, MEDSL, results archive)

Elections for this chamber

The next election, then seats after each general.
202846 seats upNext electionNovember 7, 2028
2024Rep. 34–12Rep. +4
2020Rep. 30–16

Source: civicAPI unofficial results and race calls; Members: Open States

How it works

Seats
46
Majority
24 seats
Terms
4 years, staggered
Supermajority
31 seats (two-thirds). Overrides a veto.

Source: South Carolina constitution and statutes, as summarized in the 99chambers state rules

Legislation, 2025–2026 session

Bills introduced

640

Passed the Senate

322

Became law

112

Vetoed

4

Party-line votes: 12% of roll calls.

Source: Open States bills and votesUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 5:01 PM ET