# 2016 South Carolina Senate election

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The 2016 South Carolina Senate elections took place as part of the biennial United States elections. South Carolina voters elected state senators in all 46 districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the South Carolina Senate, with all the up for election each cycle.
The primary election was on June 14, 2016, and the primary runoff on June 28, 2016, determined which candidates appeared on the November 8, 2016 general election ballot.
Following the 2012 state senate elections, Republicans maintained effective control of the Senate with 28 members. To reclaim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to gain 6 Senate seats. Republicans retained control of the South Carolina Senate following the 2016 general election and the overall numerical composition of the chamber was unaltered.

## Special election
### District 42 (October 1, 2013)

After Democratic incumbent Robert Ford resigned citing health problems amidst an ethics probe, a special election was triggered for District 42. A Democratic primary took place on August 13, a Democratic primary took place on August 27, and the special election took place on October 1, 2013, with Marlon Kimpson elected to serve.

### District 32 (November 4, 2014)

When Democratic incumbent Yancey McGill became President Pro Tem of the Senate and then Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, he vacated his seat. A Democratic primary and primary runoff were held on September 2 and 16, respectively. The special election was concurrently held with the 2014 United States Election, where Ronnie Sabb was elected to represent District 32.

### District 45 (October 20, 2015)

The District 45 seat was left vacant after Reverend Clementa C. Pickney was murdered during the Charleston church massacre at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. A Democratic primary and primary runoff were held on September 1 and 15, respectively. The special election was held on October 20 and Margie Bright Matthews was elected to District 45.

### District 4 (May 17, 2016)

After Billy O'Dell passed away in office due to heart problems, a special election was held. A Republican primary was held on March 22, and a primary runoff was held on April 5.
Initially, five Republicans ran in the primary, with a runoff initiated between Michael Gambrell and Rockey Burgess when no candidate received a majority of the votes. Gambrell defeated Burgess in the runoff with 57% of the vote. With no opposition, Gambrell won the special election on May 17.
South Carolina Senate District 4 Republican Primary, 2016 Special Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | % |
| | Republican | Michael Gambrell | 45.5 |
| | Republican | Rockey Burgess | 31.9 |
| | Republican | Tripp Padgett | 14.0 |
| | Republican | Willie Day | 6.2 |
| | Republican | Mark Powell | 2.3 |
| | Write-In | | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 4, Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 Special Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | % |
| | Republican | Michael Gambrell | 57 |
| | Republican | Rickey Burgess | 42 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 4, 2016 Special Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael Gambrell | 1,246 | 91.8 |
| | Other | Write-In | 112 | 8.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,358 | 100.0 |

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Safe R | October 12, 2016 |

## Summary of results

| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party | Result |
| 1st | Thomas C. Alexander | Rep | Thomas C. Alexander | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 2nd | Larry A. Martin | Rep | Rex Rice | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 3rd | Kevin L. Bryant | Rep | Kevin L. Bryant | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 4th | Michael Gambrell | Rep | Michael Gambrell | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 5th | Tom Corbin | Rep | Tom Corbin | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 6th | Michael Fair | Rep | William Timmons | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 7th | Karl B. Allen | Dem | Karl B. Allen | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 8th | Ross Turner | Rep | Ross Turner | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 9th | Danny Verdin | Rep | Danny Verdin | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 10th | Floyd Nicholson | Dem | Floyd Nicholson | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 11th | Glenn G. Reese | Dem | Glenn G. Reese | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 12th | Lee Bright | Rep | Scott Talley | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 13th | Shane Martin | Rep | Shane Martin | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 14th | Harvey S. Peeler Jr. | Rep | Harvey S. Peeler Jr. | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 15th | Robert W. Hayes Jr. | Rep | Wes Climer | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 16th | Greg Gregory | Rep | Greg Gregory | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 17th | Creighton B. Coleman | Dem | Mike Fanning | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 18th | Ronnie Cromer | Rep | Ronnie Cromer | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 19th | John L. Scott Jr. | Dem | John L. Scott Jr. | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 20th | John Courson | Rep | John Courson | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 21st | Darrell Jackson | Dem | Darrell Jackson | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 22nd | Joel Lourie | Dem | Mia McLeod | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 23rd | Katrina Shealy | Rep | Katrina Shealy | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 24th | Tom Young Jr. | Rep | Tom Young Jr. | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 25th | Shane Massey | Rep | Shane Massey | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 26th | Nikki Setzler | Dem | Nikki Setzler | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 27th | Vincent Sheheen | Dem | Vincent Sheheen | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 28th | Greg Hembree | Rep | Greg Hembree | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 29th | Gerald Malloy | Dem | Gerald Malloy | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 30th | Kent Williams | Dem | Kent Williams | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 31st | Hugh Leatherman | Rep | Hugh Leatherman | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 32nd | Ronnie Sabb | Dem | Ronnie Sabb | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 33rd | Luke Rankin | Rep | Luke Rankin | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 34th | Raymond E. Cleary, III | Rep | Stephen Goldfinch | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 35th | Thomas McElveen | Dem | Thomas McElveen | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 36th | Kevin Johnson | Dem | Kevin Johnson | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 37th | Lawrence Grooms | Rep | Lawrence Grooms | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 38th | Sean Bennett | Rep | Sean Bennett | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 39th | John W. Matthews Jr. | Dem | John W. Matthews Jr. | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 40th | Brad Hutto | Dem | Brad Hutto | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 41st | Paul Thurmond | Rep | Sandy Senn | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 42nd | Marlon Kimpson | Dem | Marlon Kimpson | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 43rd | George Campsen | Rep | George Campsen | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 44th | Paul G. Campbell Jr. | Rep | Paul G. Campbell Jr. | Rep | Republican HOLD |
| 45th | Margie Bright Matthews | Dem | Margie Bright Matthews | Dem | Democratic HOLD |
| 46th | Tom Davis | Rep | Tom Davis | Rep | Republican HOLD |
Source:

## Detailed results

* Note: If a district does not list a primary or a runoff, then that district did not have a primary or runoff election (i.e., there may have only been one candidate file for that district).

### District 1

District 1 covers parts of Oconee and Pickens Counties. Incumbent Thomas C. Alexander ran uncontested in the Republican primary and general election. He was reelected to a sixth full-term in the Senate.
South Carolina Senate District 1 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Thomas C. Alexander (incumbent) | 33,175 | 99.06 |
| | | Write-in | 314 | 0.94 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,489 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 2

District 2 consists of parts of Pickens County. During the Republican primary, incumbent Larry Martin was challenged by three other Republicans, Rex Rice, Dos Joslyn, and Allan Quinn. Initially, Martin came in first with Rice lagging more than 10 percentage points behind. However, since no candidate received a majority of the votes, the election went to a runoff between Martin and Rice. The result was a surprising upset in which Rice defeated Martin, capping his Senate career at 24 years. Martin's loss was attributed to a combination of factors including anti-incumbency fervor and dark money political action committees. In the general election, Rice ran unopposed and was subsequently elected to the Senate.
South Carolina Senate District 2 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Larry Martin (incumbent) | 6,284 | 45.09 |
| | Republican | Rex Rice | 4,641 | 33.30 |
| | Republican | Don Joslyn | 1,634 | 11.72 |
| | Republican | Allan Quinn | 1,378 | 9.89 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,937 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 2 Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rex Rice | 6,022 | 54.21 |
| | Republican | Larry Martin (incumbent) | 5,087 | 45.79 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,109 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 2 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rex Rice | 36,944 | 98.64 |
| | | Write-in | 509 | 1.36 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,453 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 3

South Carolina Senate District 3 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kevin Bryant (incumbent) | 7,874 | 51.20 |
| | Republican | Carol Burdette | 7,504 | 48.80 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,378 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 3 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kevin Bryant (incumbent) | 40,287 | 98.17 |
| | | Write-in | 753 | 1.83 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,040 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 4

District 4 is made up of parts of Abbeville, Anderson and Greenwood Counties. Republican Rockey Burgess challenged Gambrell for a second time after losing to him just a few months prior during the special election. In the general election, Gambrell won an uncontested race and was elected to his first full term.
South Carolina Senate District 4 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael Gambrell (incumbent) | 6,075 | 64.95 |
| | Republican | Rockey Burgess | 3,279 | 35.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,354 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 4 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael Gambrell (incumbent) | 28,064 | 99.15 |
| | | Write-in | 242 | 0.85 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,306 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 5

South Carolina Senate District 5 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Corbin (incumbent) | 5,442 | 51.54 |
| | Republican | John B. White | 5,116 | 48.46 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,558 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 5 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Corbin (incumbent) | 39,364 | 98.98 |
| | | Write-in | 405 | 1.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,769 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 6

South Carolina Senate District 6 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Timmons | 4,880 | 49.51 |
| | Republican | Mike Fair (incumbent) | 3,578 | 36.30 |
| | Republican | Johnny Edwards | 1,399 | 14.19 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,857 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 6 Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Timmons | 6,250 | 65.32 |
| | Republican | Mike Fair (incumbent) | 3,318 | 34.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,568 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 6 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Timmons | 31,732 | 84.46 |
| | Constitution | Roy G. Magnuson | 5,556 | 14.79 |
| | | Write-in | 283 | 0.75 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,571 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 7

South Carolina Senate District 7 Democratic Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Karl B. Allen (incumbent) | 2,749 | 71.07 |
| | Democratic | Lillian Brock Flemming | 1,119 | 28.93 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,868 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 7 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Karl B. Allen (incumbent) | 21,518 | 61.86 |
| | Republican | Glen L. Robinson | 13,209 | 37.98 |
| | | Write-in | 56 | 0.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,783 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 8

South Carolina Senate District 8 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ross Turner (incumbent) | 42,425 | 98.59 |
| | | Write-in | 606 | 1.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,031 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 9

South Carolina Senate District 9 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Danny Verdin (incumbent) | 32,168 | 98.85 |
| | | Write-in | 374 | 1.15 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,542 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 10

South Carolina Senate District 10 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Floyd Nicholson (incumbent) | 19,331 | 51.29 |
| | Republican | J. Bryan Hope | 18,342 | 48.67 |
| | | Write-in | 14 | 0.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,687 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 11

South Carolina Senate District 11 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Glenn Reese (incumbent) | 20,825 | 54.69 |
| | Republican | Cornelius D. Huff | 17,225 | 45.24 |
| | | Write-in | 27 | 0.07 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 12

South Carolina Senate District 12 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lee Bright (incumbent) | 3,681 | 37.69 |
| | Republican | Scott Talley | 2,594 | 26.56 |
| | Republican | David McCraw | 2,241 | 22.95 |
| | Republican | Lisa C. Scott | 1,250 | 12.80 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,766 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 12 Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Scott Talley | 4,863 | 51.60 |
| | Republican | Lee Bright (incumbent) | 4,562 | 48.40 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,425 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 12 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Scott Talley | 41,352 | 98.36 |
| | | Write-in | 688 | 1.64 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 42,040 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13

South Carolina Senate District 13 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Shane Martin (incumbent) | 36,239 | 98.93 |
| | | Write-in | 391 | 1.07 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,630 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 14

South Carolina Senate District 14 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harvey Peeler (incumbent) | 5,196 | 82.87 |
| | Republican | Kenny Price | 1,074 | 17.13 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,270 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 14 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harvey Peeler (incumbent) | 36,427 | 99.09 |
| | | Write-in | 334 | 0.91 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,761 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 15

South Carolina Senate District 15 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Wes Climer | 4,993 | 51.82 |
| | Republican | Wes Hayes (incumbent) | 4,643 | 48.18 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,636 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 15 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Wes Climer | 39,584 | 98.05 |
| | | Write-in | 789 | 1.95 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,373 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 16

South Carolina Senate District 16 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Greg Gregory (incumbent) | 44,508 | 98.84 |
| | | Write-in | 523 | 1.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 45,031 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 17

South Carolina Senate District 17 Democratic Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Creighton Coleman (incumbent) | 4,760 | 49.02 |
| | Democratic | Mike Fanning | 4,339 | 44.68 |
| | Democratic | Morgan Reeves | 612 | 6.30 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,711 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 17 Democratic Primary Runoff, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Fanning | 4,681 | 56.28 |
| | Democratic | Creighton Coleman (incumbent) | 3,637 | 43.72 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,318 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 17 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Fanning | 23,735 | 53.26 |
| | Republican | Mark Palmer | 20,762 | 46.59 |
| | | Write-in | 68 | 0.15 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 44,565 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 18

South Carolina Senate District 18 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ronnie Cromer (incumbent) | 43,288 | 99.09 |
| | | Write-in | 399 | 0.91 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,687 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 19

South Carolina Senate District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John L. Scott, Jr (incumbent) | 5,833 | 61.89 |
| | Democratic | Torrey Rush | 3,592 | 38.11 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,425 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 19 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John L. Scott, Jr. (incumbent) | 35,946 | 99.31 |
| | | Write-in | 251 | 0.69 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,197 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 20

South Carolina Senate District 20 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Courson (incumbent) | 30,267 | 74.50 |
| | Green | Scott Lewis West | 10,166 | 25.02 |
| | | Write-in | 196 | 0.48 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,629 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 21

South Carolina Senate District 21 Democratic Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Darrell Jackson (incumbent) | 6,289 | 61.76 |
| | Democratic | Wendy C. Brawley | 3,894 | 38.24 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,183 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 21 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Darrell Jackson (incumbent) | 30,294 | 98.81 |
| | | Write-in | 366 | 1.19 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,660 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 22

South Carolina Senate District 22 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mia McLeod | 26,530 | 54.94 |
| | Republican | Susan Brill | 21,696 | 44.93 |
| | | Write-in | 61 | 0.13 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 48,287 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 23

South Carolina Senate District 23 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Katrina Shealy (incumbent) | 4,386 | 61.89 |
| | Republican | Michael Sturkie | 2,095 | 29.56 |
| | Republican | Patricia Wheat | 606 | 8.55 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,087 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 23 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Katrina Shealy (incumbent) | 32,393 | 98.62 |
| | | Write-in | 453 | 1.38 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,846 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 24

South Carolina Senate District 24 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Young (incumbent) | 38,279 | 99.00 |
| | | Write-in | 387 | 1.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 38,666 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 25

South Carolina Senate District 25 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Shane Massey (incumbent) | 5,597 | 58.85 |
| | Republican | John Pettigrew | 3,913 | 41.15 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,510 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 25 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Shane Massey (incumbent) | 34,890 | 98.99 |
| | | Write-in | 356 | 1.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,246 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 26

South Carolina Senate District 26 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Nikki Setzler (incumbent) | 21,702 | 58.43 |
| | Republican | Brad Lindsey | 15,392 | 41.44 |
| | | Write-in | 48 | 0.13 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 37,142 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 27

South Carolina Senate District 27 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Vincent Sheheen (incumbent) | 27,101 | 98.36 |
| | | Write-in | 451 | 1.64 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,552 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 28

South Carolina Senate District 28 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Greg Hembree (incumbent) | 35,257 | 99.32 |
| | | Write-in | 243 | 0.68 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 35,500 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 29

South Carolina Senate District 29 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gerald Malloy (incumbent) | 28,519 | 98.09 |
| | | Write-in | 556 | 1.91 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,075 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 30

South Carolina Senate District 30 Democratic Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kent Williams (incumbent) | 13,041 | 79.52 |
| | Democratic | Patrick T. Richardson | 3,359 | 20.48 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,400 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 30 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kent Williams (incumbent) | 31,560 | 99.25 |
| | | Write-in | 237 | 0.75 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,797 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 31

South Carolina Senate District 31 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Hugh Leatherman (incumbent) | 5,948 | 54.23 |
| | Republican | Richard E. Skipper | 4,462 | 40.68 |
| | Republican | Dean Fowler, Jr. | 558 | 5.09 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,968 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 31 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Hugh Leatherman (incumbent) | 32,439 | 98.26 |
| | | Write-in | 575 | 1.74 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,014 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 32

South Carolina Senate District 32 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ronnie A. Sabb (incumbent) | 31,164 | 98.69 |
| | | Write-in | 415 | 1.31 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,579 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 33

South Carolina Senate District 33 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Luke Rankin (incumbent) | 5,015 | 55.88 |
| | Republican | Scott Pyle | 3,959 | 44.12 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,974 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 33 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Luke Rankin (incumbent) | 36,270 | 98.80 |
| | | Write-in | 442 | 1.20 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,712 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 34

South Carolina Senate District 34 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stephen Goldfinch | 3,233 | 42.65 |
| | Republican | Reese Boyd | 3,096 | 40.84 |
| | Republican | Joe Ford | 852 | 11.24 |
| | Republican | Dick Withington | 400 | 5.28 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,581 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 34 Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stephen Goldfinch | 2,804 | 52.49 |
| | Republican | Reese Boyd | 2,538 | 47.51 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,342 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 34 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stephen Goldfinch | 45,945 | 98.87 |
| | | Write-in | 525 | 1.13 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 46,470 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 35

South Carolina Senate District 35 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Thomas McElveen (incumbent) | 31,113 | 98.66 |
| | | Write-in | 423 | 1.34 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,536 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 36

South Carolina Senate District 36 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kevin L. Johnson (incumbent) | 24,725 | 62.16 |
| | Republican | Leon Winn | 15,024 | 37.77 |
| | | Write-in | 29 | 0.07 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,778 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 37

South Carolina Senate District 37 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Larry Grooms (incumbent) | 3,550 | 79.47 |
| | Republican | Mark Robin Heath | 917 | 20.53 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,467 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 37 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Larry Grooms (incumbent) | 39,314 | 98.34 |
| | | Write-in | 663 | 1.66 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,977 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 38

South Carolina Senate District 38 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Sean Bennett (incumbent) | 5,740 | 63.82 |
| | Republican | Evan Guthrie | 3,254 | 36.18 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,994 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 38 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Sean Bennett (incumbent) | 34,034 | 98.44 |
| | | Write-in | 541 | 1.56 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,575 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 39

South Carolina Senate District 39 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Matthews (incumbent) | 30,716 | 98.91 |
| | | Write-in | 338 | 1.09 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,054 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 40

South Carolina Senate District 40 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brad Hutto (incumbent) | 34,069 | 99.03 |
| | | Write-in | 333 | 0.97 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,402 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 41

South Carolina Senate District 41 Republican Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Sandy Senn | 2,679 | 39.75 |
| | Republican | Roy Maybank | 1,569 | 23.28 |
| | Republican | Tim Mallard | 1,231 | 18.26 |
| | Republican | Culver Kidd | 1,106 | 16.41 |
| | Republican | Joe Qualey | 155 | 2.30 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,740 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 41 Republican Primary Runoff, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Sandy Senn | 2,564 | 57.77 |
| | Republican | Roy Maybank | 1,874 | 42.23 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,438 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 41 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Sandy Senn | 39,313 | 97.84 |
| | | Write-in | 867 | 2.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 40,180 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 42

South Carolina Senate District 42 Democratic Primary, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Marlon Kimpson (incumbent) | 3,648 | 78.96 |
| | Democratic | Robert Ford | 972 | 21.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,620 | 100.0 |
South Carolina Senate District 42 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Marlon Kimpson (incumbent) | 29,289 | 98.95 |
| | | Write-in | 312 | 1.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,601 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 43

South Carolina Senate District 43 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chip Campsen (incumbent) | 39,056 | 98.16 |
| | | Write-in | 732 | 1.84 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,788 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 44

South Carolina Senate District 44 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Paul G. Campbell, Jr. (incumbent) | 30,795 | 98.13 |
| | | Write-in | 588 | 1.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,383 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 45

South Carolina Senate District 45 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Margie Bright Matthews (incumbent) | 29,994 | 98.70 |
| | | Write-in | 395 | 1.30 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,389 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 46

South Carolina Senate District 46 General Election, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Davis (incumbent) | 42,931 | 98.86 |
| | | Write-in | 494 | 1.14 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 43,425 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |