Scott Talley

Kelly J. Bigham

​

(m. 2003)​

Scott Talley
Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 12th district
In office November 14, 2016 –November 14, 2024
Children	3
Alma mater	Wofford College (BA) University of South Carolina School of Law (JD)
Profession	Attorney, politician

Scott F. Talley (born June 25, 1976) is an American politician. He is a former member of the South Carolina Senate from the 12th District (Spartanburg), serving from 2016 to 2024. Previously, he served the 34th House District in the South Carolina House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican party.

S.C. House of Representatives (2000–2008)

S.C. Senate

Talley was first elected to represent South Carolina's 12th Senate District, covering parts of Spartanburg County, in 2016. ^[1] Previously, he challenged his predecessor, Lee Bright, in 2008. However, it would take a second primary challenge in 2016 for Talley to successfully unseat the incumbent.

In 2022, Talley announced he would be retiring and not seeking re-election in the 2024 race. ^[2]

Endorsements

In June 2023, Talley endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election. ^[3]

Political views

Talley supports the legalization of medicinal cannabis for patients with debilitating conditions as recommended by a licensed physician. ^[4]

Personal life

Talley was born on June 25, 1976 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he currently resides today. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children. ^[1] He is the Vice President of the Tyger River Foundation, an organization dedicated to the promotion, protection, and restoration of the natural and historic resources of the Tyger River Basin. ^[5]

Electoral history

Year	Office	Type	Party		Main opponent	Party		Votes for Talley				Result	Swing		Ref.
								Total	%	P.	±%
2000	S.C. Representative	Rep. primary		Republican	Charles A. Nichols		Republican	2,533	80.44%	1st	N/A	Won	N/A		[6]
		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		8,816	99.65%	1st	N/A	Won		Hold	[6]
2002		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		6,695	99.84%	1st	+0.19%	Won		Hold	[7]
2004		General		Republican	Royce A. Justice		Democratic	8,900	65.43%	1st	-34.41%	Won		Hold	[8]
2006		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		6,980	99.15%	1st	+33.72%	Won		Hold	[9]
2008	S.C. Senate	Rep. primary		Republican	Lee Bright [a]		Republican	4,194	44.15%	1st	N/A	Runoff	N/A		[10]
		Rep. primary runoff		Republican	Lee Bright [a]		Republican	3,701	48.70%	2nd	N/A	Lost	N/A		[11] [12]
2016		Rep. primary		Republican	Lee Bright [a]		Republican	2,594	26.56%	2nd	-17.59%	Runoff	N/A		[13]
		Rep. primary runoff		Republican	Lee Bright [a]		Republican	4,863	51.60%	1st	+2.90%	Won	N/A		[14] [15] [16]
		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		41,352	98.36%	1st	N/A	Won		Hold	[17]
2020		Rep. primary		Republican	Mark Lynch		Republican	8,015	52.82%	1st	+1.22%	Won	N/A		[18] [19]
		General		Republican	Dawn Bingham		Democratic	42,201	64.86%	1st	-33.50%	Won		Hold	[20]

Notes

1. Incumbent seeking re-election.

References

1. "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
2. Bustos, Joseph (May 17, 2022). "Upstate SC senator won't seek reelection in 2024 after 16 years in General Assembly". The State. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
3. Sen. Tim Scott in Spartanburg to announce campaign endorsements". FOX Carolina. June 12, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
4. "South Carolina Senate Medical Cannabis Voter Guide" (PDF). Marijuana Policy Project. June 9, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
5. Healy, Lee G. (April 14, 2011). "Tyger River foundation aims to protect Upstate's land". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
6. "South Carolina Election Report 2000" (PDF). SCVotes.gov. Columbia, SC: S.C. State Election Commission. 2001. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
7. "South Carolina Election Report (2002)" (PDF). South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
8. "South Carolina 2004 Election Report" (PDF). SCVotes.gov. State of South Carolina Election Commission. January 11, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
9. "South Carolina Election Report (2006)" (PDF). South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
10. "2008 Statewide Primaries: State Senate, District 12 - REP". South Carolina Election Commission. 2008-06-27. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
11. Dalton, Robert W. (June 25, 2008). "Bright defeats Talley". Spartanburg Herald Journal. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
12. "RUN-OFF - 2008 Republican and Democratic Primary: State Senate, District 12 - REP". South Carolina Election Commission. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
13. "South Carolina 2016 Republican and Democratic Primary: State Senate, District 12 - REP". South Carolina Election Commission. 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
14. Bell, Rudolph (June 28, 2016). "Talley beats Bright with help from advocates". The Greenville News. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
15. Auton, Scottie Kay (2016-06-29). "Talley defeats Sen. Bright in District 12 run-off". WSPA 7NEWS. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
16. "South Carolina 2016 Republican and Democratic Primary Runoff: State Senate, District 12 - REP". South Carolina Election Commission. 2016-07-05. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
17. "South Carolina 2016 Statewide General Election: State Senate, District 12". South Carolina Election Commission. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
18. Montgomery, Bob (June 10, 2020). "Talley wins GOP primary over Lynch in District 12 Senate race". Independent Mail. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
19. "2020 Statewide Primaries: State Senate, District 12 - REP". South Carolina Election Commission. 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
20. "2020 Statewide General Election: State Senate, District 12". South Carolina Election Commission. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2024-07-05.

South Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by John D. Hawkins	Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 34th district 2001-2008	Succeeded by Michael Forrester (politician)
South Carolina Senate
Preceded by Lee Bright	Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 12th district 2016–2024	Incumbent

External links

Media related to Scott Talley at Wikimedia Commons