Three Democratic members of the S.C. House of Representatives — Deon Tedder, Wendell Gilliard and J.A. Moore — have plans to run for S.C. Senate District 42, formerly held by Democrat Marlon Kimpson, who stepped down from his statehouse position at the end of the legislative session on May 11.
Kimpson will take a job on President Joe Biden’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
Filing for the election does not open until noon July 7, and it will remain open until noon July 15, according to Isaac Cramer, executive director at Charleston County Board of Elections. Because the race is a special election, the three state representatives are able to run for the Senate seat without fear of losing their current positions.
Tedder announced March 12
“I will run to represent the people of Senate District 42,” Tedder said in an announcement. “The Lowcountry needs an advocate on important issues like public education, affordable housing and criminal justice reform. That is what I have been fighting for in the House, and it is what I will continue to fight for if elected to the Senate.”
Tedder is a graduate of S.C. State University and the University of S.C. Law School. He currently lives in North Charleston and works as an attorney.
During his time as a State Representative, Tedder has been an advocate for HBCUs, passing legislation to create “HBCU Day” on the third Tuesday in February to bring attention to the contributions HBCUs have made to the Palmetto State. Tedder has also led the fight against attempts to censor Black history from being taught in the classroom as a member of the House Education and Public Works Committee.
Gilliard announced next day
A Charleston native, Gilliard served on the city council for 11 years before being elected to the S.C. House in 2009.
In his announcement, he said during that time, he watched the “needs of the people go unmet” and “their calls for support go unheard.”
“… the needs of our children ignored in our neglected schools that make them among the worst in the CCSD, the safety of our residents — young and senior — ignored in neighborhoods that have the highest crime rates in the county, the absence of meaningful action to combat the highest rate of unemployment in Charleston and no or minimal state resources committed to supporting and developing Black economic empowerment,” he said.
Gilliard has been a voice for gun reform, introducing legislation to ban assault weapons and place metal detectors in public schools. He also has spearheaded efforts to pass a hate crime law in South Carolina following the deadly massacre at Emanuel AME Church in 2015.
Moore announced on Juneteenth
Moore announced he was running for state Senate on June 19, coinciding with the national celebration of Juneteenth.
“The people of District 42 deserve a fighter who will put them first — someone from the community who will never give up,” he said in his announcement. “We need new, progressive leadership to confront the challenges facing our district. I will make sure our community and our state is working to make our lives better.”
A Lowcountry native, Moore is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University and currently lives in Hanahan. He serves as the First Vice Chair of the Interstate Cooperation Committee and serves on the Medical, Military Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
Moore said if elected to the state Senate, he will prioritize his efforts on underfunded schools, gridlock traffic and rising housing costs, challenges he calls the status quo. He also said he will continue to focus on making progress on key social justice reforms including supporting veterans and expanding small businesses.
The special Senate election is set to coincide with municipal general elections on Nov. 7. The primary is scheduled for Sept. 5.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.