Lucy Mahon

Lucy Mahon (Democratic Party) ran for election to the South Carolina State Senate to represent District 35. She lost in the Democratic primary on June 11, 2024.

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

Biography

Lucy Mahon was born in Columbia, South Carolina. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina in 1999 and a graduate degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2002. Her career experience includes working as a physical therapist. As of 2024, Mahon was affiliated with the American Physical Therapy Association, the South Carolina Farm Bureau, Sumter South Carolina Pride Alliance, and Saint Martin's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. Mahon has also volunteered on several medical mission trips to Nepal, Venezuela, Peru, and Ecuador.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Jeffrey Graham defeated Mike Jones in the general election for South Carolina State Senate District 35 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jeffrey Graham (D)	52.2	25,284
	Mike Jones (R)	47.7	23,095
	Other/Write-in votes	0.2	77

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 48,456
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Jeffrey Graham defeated Austin Floyd Jr. in the Democratic primary runoff for South Carolina State Senate District 35 on June 25, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jeffrey Graham	50.3	1,791
	Austin Floyd Jr.	49.7	1,767

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,558
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Mike Jones defeated Lindsay Agostini in the Republican primary runoff for South Carolina State Senate District 35 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Jones	70.8	1,923
	Submit photo	Lindsay Agostini	29.2	794

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,717
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Jeffrey Graham and Austin Floyd Jr. advanced to a runoff. They defeated Lucy Mahon in the Democratic primary for South Carolina State Senate District 35 on June 11, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jeffrey Graham	47.0	2,416
✔	Austin Floyd Jr.	37.8	1,941
	Lucy Mahon	15.2	784

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,141
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Dwight Moore (D)
Melissa Weeks-Richardson (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Mike Jones and Lindsay Agostini advanced to a runoff. They defeated Christina Allard and Jerry Chivers in the Republican primary for South Carolina State Senate District 35 on June 11, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Jones	49.5	1,939
✔	Submit photo	Lindsay Agostini	30.4	1,189
		Christina Allard	16.6	650
	Submit photo	Jerry Chivers	3.5	138

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,916
= 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.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mahon in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

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

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a physical therapist, a wife, and a protector of those without a voice

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Education
Economy
Environment

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Medicaid expansion/preventive health care access, hate crime legislation, small businesses assistance, neighborhood revitalization projects, clean water/water usage, and power and energy demands

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My parents and grandparents have all been incredible examples to follow when it comes to life, love, and leadership. Collectively, they have been community leaders in South Carolina for many generations serving on the boards of schools, banks, business and colleges. Being a Senator is a wonderful opportunity to live into the legacy of service to South Carolina that my family started many generation ago when one of my sixth great-grandfathers signed the Declaration of Independence. South Carolina is home. It's people are my family.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

There is not really a book or an essay that comes to mind, but I often tell people my political philosophy would have been "born" from a marriage of a first term Ronald Reagan republican to a JFK democrat. If those two political philosophy’s got married and had a baby—that would be my political philosophy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should want to serve the people they represent. I want to serve, not be served. I believe in full transparency of government and tax-payer dollars spent..

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have spent my whole life in healthcare serving others and trying to help lift up people that were literally not strong enough to support themselves. I protect those who don't have a voice.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of a senator are to advocate for the funding and resources needed to complete the most critical projects for the districts they serve and the state as a whole. Senators should facilitate communication across the district on the city and county level for the changes needed in the community, and they should organize and facilitate community led initiatives to improve the lives of the people in the district and the state.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would love to be a part of hate crime legislation being passed and medicaid expansion. If every man, woman, and child could have access to basic preventive care in my life time as a result of my time in the legislator that would be a legacy worth celebrating. I wish no one had to die of a preventable cancer that could be caught with routine screening again.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Challenger disaster. I was in 4th grade. I was outside watching when it happened.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a life gaurd when I was 15 years old in the summer at our local pool. I loved it.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The gospel of John. I love John's sense of wonder and awe of creation and how clearly he sees God in all things

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman. I've always wanted to fly.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

We are the World (not kidding)

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My sexual orientation as a cisgender lesbian woman has been an external struggle. Navigating the waters of coming out to my parents in 1996 was very difficult. The world was a different place back then and I am grateful for the progress that we've made in society since that time. I am grateful that my parents were willing to unlearn and then relearn so much about sexual orientation and through their experience with me they have been a great resources to others in Columbia with gay children.
I see my sexually as such a small part of who I am because from a day to day perspective my life doesn't look much different that anyone else's. However, I do recognize that many people in SC look at my candidacy and see an opportunity to support a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I am a proud member of this community and will simply say that I hope to foster a since of inclusion in South Carolina. We can be different together.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

One that accurately reflects the desires and needs of the people of South Carolina

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Passing legislation that will have long-term effects for positive change in edu and healthcare and protecting our resources (mainly our water).

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe prior experience in government is beneficial but not necessary. There are a lot of people out there (myself included) that have never served before who should consider serving. The benefit of bringing fresh ideas to the legislature is worth the sacrifice of specific legislative experience--especially when the right person is running for office.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Teamwork is the core component of any great work. Even Jesus had a team of men and woman with him as he went about his ministry. Being able to work on a team is absolutely critical in life and government. Frankly, the lack of team work in government is disheartening and I hope to be able to change that with my presence. My roles on multidisciplinary teams in healthcare and in sports have “team concepts” drilled into me. I have been looked to as a captain and leader my whole life. On a team, it is critical to recognize everyone’s unique talents and place them in a role where they can utilize those talents to benefit the whole. There is no I in team. There's no "I" in Senator either.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Tameika Isaac Devine

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

So many stories it’s hard to pick one! I have knocked on hundreds of doors while campaigning and it has been amazing to get to talk to everyone. The most amazing thing about all my contacts with voters in the district has been that y’all have some really great ideas!!! For instance, in Sumter multiple people have mentioned wanting a safe, low cost place to take their children for entertainment (like a county water park). The most consistent thing I continue to hear from women at their doorsteps is that you want full control over what decisions occur with YOUR body. I have heard from so many families that they are really struggling with the cost of food. And not ONE person I have talked with has told me they are in support of permit-less carry laws recently passed. Not ONE.

So the most impactful thing I’ve learned talking with voters is that their voices aren’t being heard.
I.
AM.

LISTENING.

Tell us your favorite joke.

It's too long. I'll tell you in person if I get to meet you.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The situations that have recently involved and questioned this topic range greatly (from Hurricane Katrina to Covid 19) and we have seen conflicts arise in both Georgia and Texas. In general, my response is that I trust our legislative process as it exist. Which is to say the proper checks and balances need to remain in place to prevent abuse of power by any one entity or branch of government on both the federal and state level.
I do not believe the governor of any state should be able exploit executive power beyond the context of a true emergency (whether it be a public health crisis or natural disaster) and I would always support a process that allows for the legislature to call a governor out if he/she was abusing such power to promote a policy goal rather than to actually protect the public.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would first get my full support behind the Clementa C Pinckney Hate Crimes Act. We are one of THREE states without a hate crimes bill and this is disrespectful to all those who have died at the hands of those who were prejudiced in their malice. Secondly, I would support and introduce medicaid expansion legislation. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in health care and denying access to nearly all adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty level ($20,783 in 2024) is not saving the healthcare system or the state any money. It's cost us more when these people get sick.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Please see LucyforSenate35.com

What committees interest you?

Medical affairs; Fish, Game, and Forestry, agriculture and natural resources

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

FULL TRANSPARENCY.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

In theory this should not be needed if elected officials are truly representing the people who elected them. If more of us (and I say "us" because I have been guilty of "checking out" of politics in the past) would vote and communicate with our elected officials our most critical concerns would be better represented by our elected officials and such citizen initiatives and referendum's would not be needed.

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.

Lucy Mahon campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	South Carolina State Senate District 35	Lost primary	$22,635	$10,827
Grand total			$22,635	$10,827
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal 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

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

South Carolina State Senate District 35

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 26, 2024

[show]

Current members of the South Carolina State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Thomas Alexander

Majority Leader:Shane Massey

Minority Leader:Brad Hutto

Senators

District 1

Thomas Alexander (R)

District 2

Rex Rice (R)

District 3

Richard Cash (R)

District 4

Michael Gambrell (R)

District 5

Tom Corbin (R)

District 6

Jason Elliott (R)

District 7

Karl Allen (D)

District 8

Ross Turner (R)

District 9

Daniel Verdin (R)

District 10

Billy Garrett (R)

District 11

Josh Kimbrell (R)

District 12

Vacant

District 13

Shane Martin (R)

District 14

Harvey Peeler (R)

District 15

Wes Climer (R)

District 16

Michael Johnson (R)

District 17

Everett Stubbs (R)

District 18

Ronnie Cromer (R)

District 19

Tameika Isaac Devine (D)

District 20

Ed Sutton (D)

District 21

Darrell Jackson (D)

District 22

Overture Walker (D)

District 23

Carlisle Kennedy (R)

District 24

Tom Young (R)

District 25

Shane Massey (R)

District 26

Russell Ott (D)

District 27

Allen Blackmon (R)

District 28

Greg Hembree (R)

District 29

J.D. Chaplin (R)

District 30

Kent Williams (D)

District 31

Mike Reichenbach (R)

District 32

Ronnie Sabb (D)

District 33

Luke Rankin (R)

District 34

Stephen Goldfinch (R)

District 35

Jeffrey Graham (D)

District 36

Jeffrey Zell (R)

District 37

Lawrence Grooms (R)

District 38

Sean Bennett (R)

District 39

Tom Fernandez (R)

District 40

Brad Hutto (D)

District 41

Matthew Leber (R)

District 42

Deon Tedder (D)

District 43

George Campsen (R)

District 44

Brian Adams (R)

District 45

Margie Matthews (D)

District 46

Tom Davis (R)

Republican Party (33)

Democratic Party (12)

Vacancies (1)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 26, 2024

[1]

	v • e State of South Carolina Columbia (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

Lucy Mahon

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Republican primary runoff election

Republican primary runoff for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for South Carolina State Senate District 35

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION