2014 United States Senate special election in South Carolina

Last updated

2014 United States Senate special election in South Carolina
Flag of South Carolina.svg
←  2010 November 4, 2014 2016  →
  Tim Scott, official portrait, 113th Congress (cropped).jpg Joyce Dickerson.jpg
Nominee Tim Scott Joyce Dickerson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote757,215459,583
Percentage61.12%37.09%
2014 United States Senate special election in South Carolina results map by county.svg
County results
Scott:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
Dickerson:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
U.S. senator before election

Tim Scott [a]
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Tim Scott
Republican

The 2014 United States Senate special election in South Carolina took place on November 4, 2014, concurrently with the regular election for the other South Carolina Senate seat. The special-election Senate seat was formerly held by Republican Jim DeMint, who resigned on January 2, 2013, to become president of The Heritage Foundation.

Contents

Nikki Haley, the Republican Governor of South Carolina, announced the appointment of U.S. Representative Tim Scott to fill the seat. Scott ran in the special election and won by beating Democratic candidate and Richland County councilwoman Joyce Dickerson in the November election. Scott became the first black Senator in the state's history and the first in a former Confederate state since 1881.

The election was noted for being the second U.S. Senate election since the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment and the first in a former Confederate state where both major party nominees were black. [b] This was also the first of three consecutive elections to this seat where both major party nominees were black.

Background

On December 6, 2012, Senator Jim DeMint announced his intention to resign effective January 1, 2013, to become the president of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. [1]

Nikki Haley, the Governor of South Carolina, appointed a replacement to fill the seat until the special election. [2] Haley indicated that she would not appoint a "placeholder" to the seat, but would appoint someone who would stand in a 2014 special election to serve the remaining two years of DeMint's term. [3] On December 17, 2012, Haley announced that she would appoint Scott to DeMint's seat following his resignation. [4]

Senate replacement process

Congressman Tim Scott was chosen to replace Senator Jim DeMint, following his announced resignation. Tim Scott at Veterans Day tribute.jpg
Congressman Tim Scott was chosen to replace Senator Jim DeMint, following his announced resignation.

According to sources close to Governor Haley, as of December 11, 2012, she had narrowed the list of potential appointees down to five:

Other politicians mentioned as possible replacements for DeMint included U.S. Representatives Mick Mulvaney [6] and Joe Wilson, former U.S. Representative Gresham Barrett, state representative Nathan Ballentine, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, former Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins, former South Carolina Republican Party chair Katon Dawson, and Haley's deputy chief of staff Tedd Pitts. [7]

Liberal comedian Stephen Colbert, a South Carolina native, expressed interest in being appointed the seat, asking his fans to tweet Haley that she should appoint him. [8] Chad Walldorf, the owner of the Sticky Fingers restaurant chain, had also been mentioned as a potential placeholder. [9]

Polling on DeMint's replacement

A Public Policy Polling poll released on December 10, 2012, which asked respondents who they wanted to replace DeMint, showed Colbert with the highest total. Colbert had support at 20 percent, followed by Scott at 15 percent, Gowdy at 14 percent, and Sanford at 11 percent. [10] Haley said that she would not appoint Colbert to the seat. [11]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Republican primary results [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tim Scott (incumbent) 276,147 89.98%
Republican Randall Young30,74110.02%
Total votes306,888 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Joyce
Dickerson		Sidney
Moore		Harry
Pavilack		Undecided
Clemson University [23] May 26 – June 2, 2014400± 6%11%7%3%79%

Results

Democratic primary results [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Joyce Dickerson 72,874 65.39%
Democratic Sidney Moore26,31023.61%
Democratic Harry Pavilack11,88611.06%
Total votes111,437 100.00%

Independent and third parties

Candidates

Declared

Removed from ballot

General election

Debates

Endorsements

Tim Scott

Individuals

Organizations

Jill Bossi

Individuals

  • Brandon Armstrong, businesswoman and former Independent candidate for this seat [26]

Organizations

  • The Centrist Project [35]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [36] Solid RNovember 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal Ball [37] Safe RNovember 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political Report [38] Safe RNovember 3, 2014
Real Clear Politics [39] Safe RNovember 3, 2014

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin of
error		Tim
Scott (R)		Joyce
Dickerson (D)		OtherUndecided
Rasmussen Reports [40] July 9–10, 2014750± 4%53%31%6%11%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [41] July 5–24, 20141,180± 5.4%52%40%2%9%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [42] August 18 – September 2, 2014833± 5%54%33%0%13%
Winthrop University [43] September 21–28, 20141,082± 3%52.4%31.8%1.9% [44] 13.8%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [45] September 20 – October 1, 20142,663± 2%54%31%0%14%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov [45] October 16–23, 20141,566± 4%57%28%0%15%

Results

United States Senate special election in South Carolina, 2014 [46]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Tim Scott (incumbent) 757,215 61.12% −0.36%
Democratic Joyce Dickerson459,58337.09%+9.44%
American Jill Bossi21,6521.75%N/A
n/a Write-ins5320.04%−1.62%
Total votes'1,238,982''100.0%'N/A
Republican hold

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Sanford</span> American politician (born 1960)

Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford Jr. is an American politician and author who served as the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2001 and from 2013 to 2019, and as the 115th governor of South Carolina from 2003 to 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina's 1st congressional district</span> U.S. House district for South Carolina

South Carolina's 1st congressional district is a coastal congressional district in South Carolina, represented by Republican Nancy Mace since January 3, 2021. She succeeded Democrat Joe Cunningham, having defeated him in the 2020 election. Cunningham was the first Democrat to represent the district since the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election</span>

The 2010 South Carolina gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Republican Governor Mark Sanford was term limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010, and a runoff election, as was necessary on the Republican side, was held two weeks later on June 22.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikki Haley</span> American politician and diplomat (born 1972)

Nimarata Nikki Haley is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and as the 29th U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from January 2017 to December 2018. A Republican, Haley is the first Indian American to serve in a presidential cabinet. She was a candidate in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries. Her victory in the Washington, D.C. primary on March 3, 2024, made her the first woman ever to win a Republican Party presidential primary contest.

Jennifer Sullivan Sanford is the former First Lady of South Carolina and a former investment banker. She was married to Governor Mark Sanford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Scott</span> American politician and businessman (born 1965)

Timothy Eugene Scott is an American businessman and politician serving as the junior United States senator from South Carolina since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of the Charleston County Council, a state representative, and a U.S. Representative. He also worked in financial services before entering politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 United States elections</span>

The 2013 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. This off-year election cycle featured several special elections to the United States Congress; two gubernatorial races; state legislative elections in a few states; and numerous citizen initiatives, mayoral races, and a variety of other local offices on the ballot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in South Carolina</span>

The 2016 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of South Carolina, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Both major parties held their primaries on June 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 South Carolina gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 South Carolina gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of South Carolina, concurrently with the regularly-scheduled election and special election to both of South Carolina's U.S. Senate seats, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States Senate election in South Carolina</span>

The 2014 United States Senate election in South Carolina took place on November 4, 2014, concurrently with a special election for South Carolina's other Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 South Carolina's 1st congressional district special election</span>

A special election for South Carolina's 1st congressional district was held on May 7, 2013, to fill the seat following the resignation of U.S. Representative Tim Scott, who was appointed to the United States Senate by Governor Nikki Haley to fill the seat previously held by Jim DeMint. DeMint resigned from the Senate on January 2, 2013, to accept a position as president of The Heritage Foundation.

Elizabeth Colbert Busch is an American economist and politician who is the Director of Business Development at Clemson University's Restoration Institute, and was the Democratic Party nominee for the 2013 special election for South Carolina's 1st congressional district, losing to Mark Sanford. She is the sister of comedian Stephen Colbert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 South Carolina elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of South Carolina on November 4, 2014. All of South Carolina's executive officers were up for election as well as both United States Senate seats, and all of South Carolina's seven seats in the United States House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 South Carolina's 5th congressional district special election</span>

A special election was held on June 20, 2017, to determine the member of the United States House of Representatives for South Carolina's 5th congressional district. Representative Mick Mulvaney was nominated by President Donald Trump as director of the Office of Management and Budget and confirmed by the United States Senate on February 16, 2017, necessitating his resignation from the House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Washington</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Washington. Murray had won re-election to a fifth term in 2016 with 59% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in South Carolina</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in South Carolina was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of South Carolina. Incumbent Republican Senator Tim Scott won reelection to a second full term, defeating state representative Krystle Matthews. This was the third consecutive election for this seat where both major party nominees were black.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 United States House of Representatives elections</span>

These six off-year races featured special elections to the 113th United States Congress to fill vacancies due to resignations in the United States House of Representatives. Two were due to Congressmen taking seats in the United States Senate, one resigned to take jobs in the private sector, one resigned to take a job in the public sector, and one resigned due to an impending federal indictment regarding misuse of campaign funds.

This is a list of endorsements for declared or potential candidates in the Republican primaries for the 2024 United States presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary</span>

The 2024 South Carolina Republican presidential primary was held on February 24, 2024, as part of the Republican Party primaries for the 2024 presidential election. 50 delegates to the 2024 Republican National Convention were allocated on a selection basis.

References

  1. ↑ "South Carolina Republican US Sen. Jim DeMint resigning to take over at Heritage Foundation". The Washington Post . December 6, 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  2. ↑ "All eyes on Nikki Haley to pick Jim DeMint successor". Politico . December 6, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Buzz builds around Jim DeMint successor". Politico . December 10, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Tim Scott to succeed Jim DeMint in Senate". Politico . December 17, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  5. ↑ "First on CNN: Haley finalizes short list for DeMint seat". December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Mulvaney in touch with Haley about Senate seat". Politico . December 10, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Reid (December 6, 2012). "Who Will Replace Jim DeMint?". National Journal. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Stephen Colbert to Nikki Haley: Pick Me". December 7, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Business Briefs: Walldorf eyed as DeMint successor". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Associated Press. December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  10. ↑ Robillard, Kevin (December 10, 2012). "PP: South Carolina voters want Stephen Colbert" . Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Nikki Haley: I won't appoint Stephen Colbert to Senate". Associated Press. December 8, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Tim Scott quiet on Mark Sanford congressional run". Politico.Com. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 Shain, Andrew (March 27, 2014). "ELECTION 2014 (updated): Who's filed for statewide, State House, Congressional offices". The State . Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  14. 1 2 "Official results 2014 Statewide Primary Election June 10, 2014". South Carolina State Election Commission. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  15. ↑ Renee Standera (October 3, 2013). "County council member to run for U.S. Senate seat". wistv. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  16. ↑ George Mast (March 17, 2014). "Senator Allen Installed as Chair of National Foundation for Women Legislators". senatenj.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  17. ↑ Zou, Jie Jenny (March 27, 2014). "Former York County Council member to run for Scott's U.S. Senate seat". The Herald . Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  18. ↑ Jamie Self (September 14, 2013). "Exclusive: Another unknown Democrat seeks US Senate seat in SC". The State. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013.
  19. ↑ Shain, Andrew (December 13, 2013). "Former Obama aide sets sights on Scott's US Senate seat". The State . Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  20. ↑ Self, Jamie (March 6, 2014). "Democrat Wade exits US Senate race citing fundraising woes". The State . Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  21. 1 2 3 Shain, Andrew (December 9, 2012). "THE BUZZ: A reunion, of sorts, for the Sanfords?". The State . Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  22. ↑ Beam, Adam (August 25, 2013). "The Buzz: Rand Paul on Lindsey Graham, second Democrat may challenge Tim Scott". The State . Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  23. ↑ Clemson University
  24. ↑ "Tega Cay exec running for U.S. Senate". Fort Mill Times. March 24, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  25. ↑ Self, Jamie (November 27, 2013). "ELECTION 2014: Independent collecting signatures to run against Tim Scott". The State . Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  26. 1 2 Kopf, Schuyler (August 12, 2014). "Independent challenger to Tim Scott fails to get on the ballot". The Post and Courier . Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  27. ↑ Governor Sarah Palin’s First Endorsement of 2014: Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina | A Time For Choosing
  28. ↑ "American Conservative Union PAC Endorses Senator Tim Scott". Tim Scott for Senate. May 5, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  29. ↑ Glueck, Katie (March 17, 2014). "FreedomWorks backs Ted Yoho, Tim Scott, Mark Sanford". Politico . Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  30. ↑ York, Frank (January 7, 2014). "GING-PAC Endorses Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) For 2014!". GING-PAC. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Chamber of Commerce Endorses Senator Tim Scott". Tim Scott for Senate. January 30, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  32. ↑ "SC AFL-CIO Endorses Candidates For the US House and Senate". AFL-CIO. 2014. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Official UAW Endorsements- South Carolina". UAW. 2014. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Election 2014: Boilermakers recommend candidates". Boilermakers. 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Breaking News: The Centrist Project Voice Endorses a Wide Portfolio of Moderate Candidates". The Centrist Project. July 9, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  36. ↑ "2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  37. ↑ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  38. ↑ "2014 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  39. ↑ "2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  40. ↑ Rasmussen Reports
  41. ↑ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
  42. ↑ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
  43. ↑ Winthrop University
  44. ↑ Jill Bossi (AP) 1.8%, Other 0.1%
  45. 1 2 CBS News/NYT/YouGov
  46. ↑ "2014 South Carolina Special U.S Senate Election Results".

Notes

  1. ↑ In January 2013, Scott was appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Jim DeMint, who had become president of The Heritage Foundation.
  2. ↑ After Illinois in 2004

      Official campaign websites (Archived)

      This page is based on this Wikipedia article
      Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
      Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.