Deon Tedder | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 42nd district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Marlon Kimpson |
| Member of the South CarolinaHouseofRepresentatives from the 109th district | |
| In office November 9,2020 –January 9,2024 | |
| Preceded by | David Mack |
| Succeeded by | Tiffany Spann-Wilder |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 26,1990 Durham,North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | South Carolina State University (B.A.) University of South Carolina School of Law (J.D.) |
| Profession | Attorney |
Deon T. Tedder is an American attorney and politician. He is a member of the Democratic party and Co-Chair of the South Carolina chapter of Future Caucus. [1] [2]
Tedder is a member of the South Carolina Senate representing District 42. Tedder serves on the Senate Judiciary,Fish Game and Forestry,Family and Veterans' Services,Corrections and Penology and Medical Affairs Committees. [3]
In June 2020, Tedder defeated Jeff Wilder in the Democratic Primary and James Johnson in the Primary runoff. He defeated Libertarian Rodney Travis in the general election and became a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives representing District 109 until 2024. [4] [5]
He served on the House Education and Public Works Committee and the Operations and Management Committee [6] and as Treasurer of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. [7]
Tedder had a bill passed supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), [8] and supported clean energy and electric vehicle technology. [9] He opposed a bail reform bill, which he said would create 'a violation of due process'. [10]
Tedder joined House members Todd Rutherford and Roger Kirby in forming the Freedom Caucus of South Carolina, in contrast to the conservative SC Freedom Caucus. [11]
On March 12, 2023, Tedder announced his intention to run for the South Carolina Senate District 42 seat, vacated by Marlon Kimpson after Kimpson's appointment to a role in the Biden Administration. [12] The seat would be decided in a special election in 2023. [13] Endorsements that Tedder received in his race for the Senate seat included Conservation Voters of South Carolina [14] and former South Carolina District 42 Senator Marlon Kimpson. [15]
The Democratic primary took place on September 5. [16] Other candidates in the primary were State Representatives JA Moore and Wendell Gilliard. Moore was bested by Gilliard and Tedder, who faced each other in a primary runoff. [17] [18]
On September 19, Tedder, who had been endorsed by SC Congressman Jim Clyburn, [19] led the runoff by 11 votes, triggering a recount. [20] The recount was conducted and results certified by the Charleston County Board of Canvassers and the Dorchester County Voter Registration and Elections Office on September 21; later that day Tedder was declared the winner by the South Carolina State Election Commission.
Tedder won against Republican Rosa Kay in a special election held on November 7, 2023. [21] He is currently the youngest member of the South Carolina Senate. [22] [23]
In March 2024 Tedder filed for re-election to the South Carolina Senate. He faced challenger Kim Greene in the Democratic Primary. [24] Tedder defeated Greene and went on unopposed to retain his Senate seat. [25]