Tameika Devine Wins Democratic Nomination for South Carolina State Senate District 19
The special election was called following the death of State Senator John L. Scott Jr. (D).
The Democratic primary occurred today to select a candidate for the January special election to fill a vacancy in the South Carolina State Senate. A candidate needs to achieve a 50%+1 majority to receive the party’s nomination today. Otherwise, the top two candidates will advance to a November 7 runoff.
The special election for State Senate District 19 was called following the death of State Senator John L. Scott Jr., a Democrat, earlier this year from blood clot issues. He represented this district from January 2009 to August 2023.
Tameika Devine has been declared the winner of the Democratic primary. The race was called in her favor as she’s currently leading with 51.74% against Kambrell Garvin with 45.33%, Johnnie Cordero with 1.49% and Javar Juarez with 1.44%. 4,847 votes have been counted.
Devine previously represented an At-Large District on the Columbia City Council from July 2002 to December 2021. She ran for Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina in 2021 - losing 52-48 in the runoff to Republican Daniel Rickenmann.
Garvin has represented District 77 in the South Carolina House of Representatives since November 2018.
South Carolina State Senate District 19 covers parts of Columbia, the state’s capital and second most populous city.
Republicans currently have a majority in the 46-member State Senate with a 30-13-1 advantage over Democrats and an Independent. This district is one of two current vacancies in the legislative chamber, where every seat will be up for regular four-year terms in November 2024.
The special election for the seat in the South Carolina State Senate will occur on January 2, 2024. Devine will face off against Republican Kizzy Smalls and two third party candidates.