Sean Bennett
Sean Bennett (Republican Party) is a member of the South Carolina State Senate, representing District 38. He assumed office in 2012. His current term ends on November 13, 2028.
Bennett (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the South Carolina State Senate to represent District 38. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Committee assignments
2025-2026
Bennett was assigned to the following committees:
- Banking and Insurance Committee
- Corrections and Penology Committee
- Senate Ethics Committee, Chair
- Finance Committee
- Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee
- Transportation Committee
2023-2024
Bennett was assigned to the following committees:
- Banking and Insurance Committee
- Senate Ethics Committee, Chairman
- Finance Committee
- Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee
- Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee
- Transportation Committee
2021-2022
Bennett was assigned to the following committees:
- Banking and Insurance Committee
- Senate Ethics Committee, Chairman
- Finance Committee
- Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee
- Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee
- Transportation Committee
2019-2020
Bennett was assigned to the following committees:
- Banking and Insurance Committee
- Finance Committee
- Senate Ethics Committee, Chairman
- Fish, Game, and Forestry Committee
- Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee
- Transportation Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| South Carolina committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Banking and Insurance |
| • Finance |
| • Labor, Commerce, and Industry |
| • Transportation |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Bennett served on the following committees:
| South Carolina committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Banking and Insurance |
| • Fish, Game and Forestry |
| • Judiciary |
| • Labor, Commerce and Industry |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Bennett served on the following committees:
| South Carolina committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Banking and Insurance |
| • Fish, Game and Forestry |
| • Judiciary |
| • Labor, Commerce and Industry |
| • Transportation |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for South Carolina State Senate District 38
Incumbent Sean Bennett won election in the general election for South Carolina State Senate District 38 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sean Bennett (R) | 98.2 | 35,738 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.8 | 655 | ||
| Total votes: 36,393 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sean Bennett advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina State Senate District 38.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bennett in this election.
2020
See also: South Carolina State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for South Carolina State Senate District 38
Incumbent Sean Bennett defeated John Lowe in the general election for South Carolina State Senate District 38 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Bennett (R) | 58.8 | 35,068 |
 | John Lowe (D) | 41.0 | 24,462 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 66 | ||
| Total votes: 59,596 | |||
| = 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
The Democratic primary election was canceled. John Lowe advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina State Senate District 38.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sean Bennett advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina State Senate District 38.
2016
Elections for the South Carolina State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016.
Incumbent Sean Bennett ran unopposed in the South Carolina State Senate District 38 general election.[1][2]
| South Carolina State Senate, District 38 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Sean Bennett Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 34,034 | |
| Total Votes | 34,034 | |||
| Source: South Carolina State Election Commission | ||||
Incumbent Sean Bennett defeated Evan Guthrie in the South Carolina State Senate District 38 Republican primary.[3][4]
| South Carolina State Senate, District 38 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Sean Bennett Incumbent |
63.82% | 5,740 | |
| Republican | Evan Guthrie | 36.18% | 3,254 | |
| Total Votes | 8,994 | |||
| Source: South Carolina State Election Commission | ||||
2012
Bennett ran in the 2012 election for South Carolina State Senate District 38. He defeated incumbent Mike Rose in the Republican primary on June 12, and was unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[5][6][7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sean Bennett |
98.4% | 29,231 | |
| Other | Write-Ins | 1.6% | 478 | |
| Total Votes | 29,709 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Sean Bennett |
60% | 4,197 |
| Mike Rose Incumbent | 40% | 2,798 |
| Total Votes | 6,995 | |
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sean Bennett did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
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.
2016
Bennett won re-election to the South Carolina State Senate in 2016. During that election cycle, Bennett raised a total of $132,329.
| South Carolina State Senate 2016 election - campaign contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Sean Bennett's campaign in 2016 | ||||
| Senate Republican Caucus Of South Carolina | $10,000 | |||
| Infrastructure Consulting Engineering | $2,500 | |||
| Jarrard Nowell & Russell | $1,600 | |||
| Steinberg Law Firm | $1,500 | |||
| Pratt, Robert L | $1,500 | |||
| Total raised in 2016 | $132,329 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2012
Bennett won election to the South Carolina State Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Bennett raised a total of $90,640.
| South Carolina State Senate 2012 election - campaign contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Sean Bennett's campaign in 2012 | ||||
| Bennett, Sean | $8,000 | |||
| South Carolina Association of Realtors | $2,000 | |||
| Pratt, Robert L | $1,800 | |||
| Cuzzell, Sherril H | $1,100 | |||
| Northstar Pro | $1,000 | |||
| Total raised in 2012 | $90,640 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
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.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2025.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2024.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2023.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The Institute for Legislative Analysis — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2022.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2021.
- Americans for Prosperity - South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2020.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2019.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2018.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2017.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2016.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2015.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2014.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- Greenville Tea Party — Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2013.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- Greenville Tea Party — Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
- South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the South Carolina State Legislature in 2012.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
- Palmetto Liberty — Legislators are scored by Palmetto Liberty on bills related to "limited government, the free market, and individual liberty and responsibility."
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate South Carolina State Senate District 38 |
Officeholder South Carolina State Senate District 38 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Candidate listing for the 11/8/2016 statewide general election," accessed August 26, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2016 Statewide General Election," accessed November 28, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidate Tracking," accessed March 31, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Unofficial primary election results," accessed June 14, 2016
- ↑ AP.org, "South Carolina State Senate and State House Election Results," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "Official election results for 2012," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2012 Candidates," accessed April 26, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
South Carolina State Senate District 38 2012-Present |
Succeeded by - |
