South Carolina held its general election on November 6, 2018, deciding 124 legislative seats and 8 statewide offices led by the governorship. No chamber changed party control. The Senate was not up for regular election this cycle.
Highlights
- Republicans kept every statewide office and their House majority; Democrats' one net legislative gain came in a Senate special election.
- Gov. Henry McMaster (R), who had been promoted from lieutenant governor, beat state Rep. James Smith (D) by about 8 points to win his first full term. WFAE called it the most expensive race in state history. His running mate, Pamela Evette (R), became lieutenant governor.
- Dick Harpootlian (D) beat Benjamin Dunn (R) by about 5 points in the special election for Senate District 20, flipping the seat vacated by longtime Republican Sen. John Courson after he pleaded guilty to misconduct in office.
- In the House, each party picked up two seats.
- Every Republican statewide incumbent on the ballot was re-elected. Attorney General Alan Wilson (R) beat Constance Anastopoulo (D) by about 10 points, and Secretary of State Mark Hammond (R) and Treasurer Curtis Loftis Jr. (R) won by wider margins. Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers (R), Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom (R), and Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman (R) had no Democratic opponent.
- In all, 4 House seats changed parties and 3 incumbents lost, and few races were competitive, with 68 drawing a single candidate.
- Voters rejected Amendment 1, the lone constitutional amendment on the ballot, which would have let future governors appoint the superintendent of education instead of electing the office statewide.
Legislature
- House (124 seats): 44 D, 80 R before the election, 44 D, 78 R, 2 other or vacant after; control stayed with Republicans.
- Senate (46 seats): 18 D, 27 R, 1 other or vacant before the election, 18 D, 27 R, 1 other or vacant after; control stayed with Republicans.
Statewide races
Legislative races
Ballot measures
| Measure | Description | Result |
|---|
| Amendment 1 | Makes the Superintendent of Education an appointed position | Failed (39.9% yes) |