COLUMBIA, S.C. — Once again, Republicans have celebrated a successful election night in South Carolina, marking a continuation of their dominance in the state’s political landscape throughout this century.
With the results in from Tuesday’s elections, the GOP has further solidified its control, winning all incumbent positions and reportedly gaining four additional Senate seats, which increases their stronghold to 34-12 in the chamber. This development contrasts sharply with the situation back in 1992 when Democrats enjoyed a 14-seat advantage.
This outcome gives Republicans a historic two-thirds supermajority in the Senate, allowing them to dismiss filibusters effortlessly. In the House, the Republicans retained their strength with 87 seats out of 124 available, although there are currently two vacancies. This solid position enables them to propose constitutional amendments without needing Democratic support.
Among the contested seats, two were decided by margins under 1%, prompting mandatory recounts, with one race showcasing a minor gap of just 32 votes based on unofficial totals. Nevertheless, given the efficiency of South Carolina’s modern voting machines, such recounts rarely alter the final outcome.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, expressing gratitude to the electorate, emphasized the responsibility that comes with this new number of Republican senators. He noted an upcoming caucus meeting where the implications of their supermajority will be deliberated.
Several conservative goals are likely to be on the agenda, including potential relaxation of gun laws, as well as more significant restrictions on abortion rights than the existing state law, which restricts the procedure after six weeks following the detection of cardiac activity in a fetus. “Life is a personal issue,” Massey remarked, recognizing the varied perspectives among his new members.
The Republican Party will see a significant influx of fresh faces, with 13 new senators set to join in 2025, of which nine are Republicans. Drew McKissick, the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, likened the party’s plans for the 2024 elections to a buffet overflowing with options, illustrating the number of seats they are aiming to secure.
He also noted, “You can’t win everything,” pointing to their record of success during previous elections. In the mid-1990s, the Republicans captured the House, and then the Senate in 2000, initiating a series of victories that show no sign of abating. This year’s elections contributed further to the entrenched Republican presence, even as the Democratic Party strategically minored its focus with their first presidential primary occurring in the state this year.
Redistricting has favored the GOP, with them winning at least 57% of votes in every Senate district they managed at the start of election night. Over the last eight elections, the Republicans have maintained their Senate seats, controlling more than three-quarters of the chamber in a state where the former president never reached above 59% in presidential voting.
In a trend where rural regions are rapidly shifting towards the Republican side, the Democrats suffered losses in all four of their seats outside urban areas. Four Democratic senators, comprising three Black members and one white, faced severe defeats in their rural territories and even in some fast-growing suburban locations, struggling against a diminishing minority population.
The GOP also claimed four sheriff’s and three coroner’s offices from their Democratic opponents. McKissick indicated that triumphs on these bureaucratic levels deepen the challenges faced by Democrats, especially as rural voters often consolidate their support for local officials through straight-ticket voting for Republicans.
Almost 800,000 out of 2.4 million votes cast were for Republican straight-ticket options. The GOP has seen a 21% increase in such voters compared to their Democratic counterparts. This trend of straight-ticket voting has only been reversed in favor of Republicans since 2016.
Democrats had planned to galvanize local constituents in an election devoid of any statewide candidate. However, the results left them focusing on saving a few critical seats around Columbia while even losing ground in one legislative district despite an attempt to gain one seat elsewhere. No immediate comments from Democratic officials followed the election results.
As for McKissick, he intends to relish the Republican gains achieved, both in South Carolina and nationally, for a few days before shifting his focus to the elections in 2026. The governor’s position will be available, alongside Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, presenting additional opportunities for the GOP.
Despite the current Republican fervor, McKissick maintains a sense of history, recalling the past where political landscapes drastically shifted. Citing the historic dominance of Democrats in elections from earlier decades, he concluded, “The only thing that is permanent in politics is the next election.” He emphasized the importance of a relevant message, effective organization, and fundraising to ensure sustained success.