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In a decisive sweep, South Carolina Republicans clinched all three legislative special elections on Tuesday, declaring the victories as a definitive statement from the electorate.
Incumbents John Lastinger, Dianne Mitchell, and Lee Bright retained their positions with considerable margins, as 8,729 votes were tallied in total.
Mitchell and Bright secured more than 70% and 67% of the vote, respectively, facing no official opposition. The remaining votes were scattered among various write-in candidates.
Meanwhile, Lastinger, who serves as a pastor, triumphed over Democrat and retired Army Colonel Joseph “Chuck” Hightower with a 62-37 split, while write-ins accounted for less than one percent.
Despite these victories, voter engagement was notably low, with only about seven percent of registered voters participating across State House Districts 21 and 88 and State Senate District 12.
“Republicans won all three special elections and that success belongs to the voters who showed up,” the South Carolina Republican Party wrote on X:
“While Democrats hoped low turnout would hand them a win, Republicans proved them wrong at the ballot box. We didn’t sit this one out. We showed up, voted, and protected conservative leadership across South Carolina,” the SCGOP continued. “Thank you to every voter who took time away from family gatherings, travel, and holiday plans to make your voice heard. That commitment is why we win.”
“Tonight’s results send a clear message: South Carolina Republicans show up when it matters and we’re heading into 2026 organized, energized, and stronger than ever.”
Olivia Rondeau is a politics reporter for Breitbart News based in Washington, DC. Find her on X/Twitter and Instagram.
