Jeff Zell

Christina Marie

​

(m. 2009)​

Jeff Zell
Zell in 2025
Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 36th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 14, 2025
Children	1
Residence	Sumter, South Carolina
Education	Community College of the Air Force (AA) American Military University (BA)
Military service
Branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	2002—2022

Jeff Zell (born March 18, 1980) is an American politician who is a member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 36th District since 2024. A member of the Republican party, he previously served in the U.S. Air Force.

Early life and career

Zell was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and joined the U.S. Air Force at 22 years old. He earned an Associate of Arts from the is retired from Community College of the Air Force and a Bachelor of Arts from American Military University. ^[1] He served on Shaw Air Force Base after 20 years of military service. ^[2]

In 2022, Zell defeated former Democratic state senator Phil P. Leventis to serve on the District 8 trustee on Sumter School District's board of trustees. ^{[3] [4]}

South Carolina Senate

In 2024, Zell defeated Leon Winn in the Republican primary to face incumbent Democratic senator Kevin L. Johnson in the South Carolina Senate District 36 race. ^{[5] [6]}

Zell defeated Johnson in the general election. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Zell serves on the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Veterans' Services, Fish, Game and Forestry, Judiciary and Medical Affairs committees. ^[10]

References

1. "Senator Jeff Zell". South Carolina State Legislature . Retrieved October 3, 2025.
2. McCoy, Melissa (2024-06-02). "Jeffrey Zell: State Senate, District 36 candidate". Manning Live. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
3. Mills, Bruce (November 22, 2022). "Zell wins runoff vs. former senator Leventis for Sumter school board District 8 seat". The Sumter Item. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
4. "Jeffrey Zell issues press release concerning Title IX changes". Manning Live. 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
5. Writer, GENE ZALESKI T&D Staff (2024-05-30). "ELECTION 2024: 2 Republicans seeking SC Senate District 36 seat". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
6. "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
7. Guerrero, Mayra Parrilla (2024-11-05). "Republican unseats incumbent Democrat representing Clarendon County, unofficial election results show". WISTV. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
8. "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
9. "Republicans flip seats to clinch supermajority in South Carolina Senate". WCBD News 2. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
10. "South Carolina Legislature Online - Committee". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-10.

External links

• Zell for Senate campaign website
• Senator Jeff Zell