Tim Scott
RepublicanSC · Senator
In the 2022 Senate race for SC Senate seat, Tim Scott (R) won with 62.9% of the vote, defeating Krystle Matthews (D) who received 37.0%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Tim Scott's 25.9-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.
This was an open-seat race with no incumbent running — Lindsey Graham (R) previously held the seat. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Republican, Tim Scott benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.
In the 2016 Senate race for SC Senate seat, Tim Scott (R) won with 60.6% of the vote, defeating Thomas Dixon (D) who received 34.4%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Tim Scott's 26.2-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.
As the incumbent, Tim Scott benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.
In the 2014 Senate race for SC Senate seat, Tim Scott (R) won with 61.1% of the vote, defeating Joyce Dickerson (D) who received 37.1%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Tim Scott's 24.0-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.
This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. As a Republican, Tim Scott benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.
In the 2012 House race for SC-01, Tim Scott (R) won with 62.0% of the vote, defeating Bobbie G. Rose (D) who received 33.8%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Tim Scott's 28.2-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.
This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.