DECISION 2024: Two SC senators announce 2024 re-election campaigns

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Two South Carolina Senators announced re-election campaigns on Monday before the official filing period for state elections opens on March 16. The two senators, Darrell Jackson and Vernon Stephens, both announced re-election in press releases sent out Monday morning.

Senator Darrell Jackson announced he would seek another term as the Richland County Senator serving South Carolina Senate District 21.

The state senator has been in office since 1992 and won a no-contest election for District 21 on November 3, 2020, taking 97 percent of the vote.

In an announcement to his constituents on Monday, March 4, 2024, Senator Jackson highlighted his work in the Senate. According to his campaign, 23 bills Jackson has sponsored have become statewide laws.

“One piece of legislation that I am most proud of is the Family Leave Act, which became law in 2022,” said Jackson. “The Family Leave Act provides six weeks of paid family leave for eligible state employees who have just given birth or adopted a child.”

In his announcement, Senator Jackson highlighted his current work on a bipartisan effort to ensure that all children in South Carolina are properly fed during the summer months through a federally funded summer EBT program.

If re-elected, Senator Jackson will become the second-ranking Senator in the South Carolina Senate and its highest-ranking Democrat, following Senator Nikki Setzler’s retirement. As of now, no other candidates have officially announced their intention to run for South Carolina Senate District 21.

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Senator Vernon Stephens announced at a press conference Monday morning his intention to run for a second term as the South Carolina State Senator for Senate District 39, which includes Orangeburg, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.

He assumed office on November 9, 2020, after beating Republican Tom Connor in the general election for South Carolina State Senate District 39.

In a statement to his constituents on Monday, March 4, 2024, Senator Stephens pledged to keep working towards improving the quality of life and safeguarding the freedoms of all South Carolinians.

As of now, no other Democrat has officially declared their candidacy. However, Senator Vernon Stephens will have to run against Republican opponent Tom Fernandez.

“After many months of deliberation, seeking input from the people of Senate District 39, and prayer with family, I am excited to announce my candidacy for the South Carolina Senate,” Fernandez said in a conference announcing his senate bid in 2023.The people of District 39 demand a Senator who represents our conservative values.”

Fernandez has run twice for SC House District 100 in 2018 and 2020, losing both times in the Republican primary to incumbent Sylleste Davis.

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