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Julie Cofer Hussey

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Julie Cofer Hussey
Image of Julie Cofer Hussey
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

The Lovett School

Bachelor's

University of Georgia, 1988

Personal
Birthplace
Atlanta, Ga.
Religion
Christian: Episcopalian
Profession
Communications consultant
Contact

Julie Cofer Hussey (Democratic Party) ran for election to the South Carolina State Senate to represent District 43. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Hussey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Julie Cofer Hussey was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from The Lovett School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1988. Her career experience includes working as a communications consultant.[1]

Hussey has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • YWCA of Greater Charleston
  • League of Women Voters
  • I'On Assembly
  • St. Stephens Episcopal Church
  • Social Justice Racial Equity Collaborative
  • SC First Steps
  • Movement 400
  • Charleston Metro Chamber - Minority Business Accelerator
  • Lowcountry Local First
  • VITALIZE Angels
  • Charleston Angel Partners
  • Hustle Fund,
  • Venture South
  • 328 Angels
  • National Coalition Building Institute
  • Charleston CommUnity Circles

Elections

2024

See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for South Carolina State Senate District 43

Incumbent George Campsen defeated Julie Cofer Hussey in the general election for South Carolina State Senate District 43 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of George Campsen
George Campsen (R)
 
61.1
 
41,996
Image of Julie Cofer Hussey
Julie Cofer Hussey (D) Candidate Connection
 
38.8
 
26,697
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
51

Total votes: 68,744
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Julie Cofer Hussey advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina State Senate District 43.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent George Campsen advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina State Senate District 43.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hussey in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Julie Cofer Hussey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hussey's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I was taught to whom much is given, much is expected. So, I said “yes” when asked to offer voters a choice for their next state senator of this beautiful, historic, and generous district.

I believe each one of us has unique interests and gifts to offer; mine include a fascination with voices of experience and a comfort in one-on-one conversations, meetings, and even public hearings (yes, there is such a thing as a person who likes productive meetings and hearings).

Professionally, I’ve brought local insights into real estate development, SCDOT road/bridge construction, as well as regional and municipal planning projects as a public information and engagement consultant since 1996.

Personally, I have been actively involved as a local, state, and national leader in the League of Women Voter’s efforts for ethics reform, independent redistricting, energy issues, and women’s rights. I have served at board and council levels to ensure SC’s early childhood support systems and public education welcomes respects and delivers for the needs of all kids/students as well as their parents, caregivers, and teachers. I’ve also received hours of training and certification in facilitating conversations for the Charleston CommUnity Circles and the National Coalition Building Institute.

Each of these experiences, perspectives, and lessons - plus some extra time now my husband of 22 years and I are empty nesters - have prepared me to make certain #JulieWorksforUs.
I am personally passionate about serving the public with processes, laws, infrastructure, and investments which are accountable, transparent, and actually effective .

The state legislature's job is to improve our state by listening to the voices and the actual needs of South Carolinians; it should not assume to know better than those bearing the burden of its decisions.

A perfect example of governing gone astray occurred when the SC Senate decided that it wanted to address women's health and privacy rights but was unwilling to listen to its own "Sister Senators," the testimonies of doctors and patients, calls from constituents, and even the ruling of the state's only female SC Supreme Court justice.
Humility, leadership which serves rather than dictates, respect for others, and gratitude for feedback.
To listen, learn, inform, make choices, celebrate wins, and be willing to admit mistakes.
I have supported others in becoming their best selves.
My sister and I were always making things to sell and coming up with ways to get money from our neighbors. One summer we created a "Dog Day Camp" during which we took several dogs on our street on daily field trips.

My first "official" job with a W-2 was selling shoes at a women's shoe boutique for 2 years. There is something very humbling about helping people put on and take off their shoes.
Rutger Bregman's Humankind and its case for the fundamental goodness of humans.
For some reason, Blind Melon's "No Rain" is in my head right now.
Focus on solving issues and funding priorities which are actual concerns for South Carolinians rather than partisan political statements driven by outside of the state agendas.

Infrastructure which serves both environmental and human needs in the face of erratic weather patterns, sea level rise, warmer temperatures, and growth pressures.
It is beneficial for state legislators to be experienced in serving others, but previous government or political experience should not be a requirement for service.

Personally, I believe my service on the SC First Steps Board as an SC Senate Appointee; my consulting work for SCDOT, municipalities, and regional planning organizations; my experience on charter school boards and the Beckham High School Improvement Council; and my time calling, writing, and speaking with elected officials will all be helpful in preparing me to be a more effective state legislator.
Yes. We make better decisions when we work with others. Different perspectives, sponsors, and critics can see opportunities and problems, which one acting alone would miss.
I have the greatest respect for all of the bipartisan "Sister Senators" who stood together and fought so bravely against our state's six week abortion ban that they were honored with a JFK Profile in Courage Award.
Generational stories of land ownership, especially by those in SC Senate District 43 who live in the coastal, Gullah settlement communities established during Reconstruction.
All of them are interesting to me. My personal background makes Education, Legislative Oversight, Transportation natural fits. To best serve this district, I see the importance of knowing what is happening/serving on Banking and Insurance, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Labor, Commerce and Industry.
Public funds are our investments in and for each other. They are not "prize money" waiting to be awarded to those deemed "worthy." State legislators, government officials, contractors, and employees must never forget the responsibility which comes from prioritizing needs and allocating the public's dollars.
It is really important to avoid making election ballots so long and confusing they turn away voters, but decisions to take away health care and bodily autonomy rights which have been in place for 50 years without offering a referendum option has been disappointing.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Julie Cofer Hussey campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* South Carolina State Senate District 43Lost general$61,118 $71,287
Grand total$61,118 $71,287
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 6, 2024


Current members of the South Carolina State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Thomas Alexander
Majority Leader:Shane Massey
Minority Leader:Brad Hutto
Senators
District 1
District 2
Rex Rice (R)
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
Vacant
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
Ed Sutton (D)
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
Tom Young (R)
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
Tom Davis (R)
Republican Party (33)
Democratic Party (12)
Vacancies (1)