Keishan Scott
Keishan Scott | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 50th district | |
| Assumed office June 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Will Wheeler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 2, 2002 Lee County, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Central Carolina Technical College (A) University of South Carolina (BSW) |
| Website | Legislative page |
Keishan M. Scott (born December 2, 2002) is an American paralegal and politician who is a member-elect of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 50th District, having been elected in a June 2025 special election.[1]
Early life, education, and career
Scott was born and raised in Lee County, South Carolina.[2] At 7 years old, he became an ordained minister and at the age of 12 published the Christian book Keys to the Kingdom.[3]
In 2019, he simultaneously graduated from Lee Central High School and from Central Carolina Technical College with an associate’s degree.[4] In 2023, He graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina studying social work.[5]
He works as a paralegal. He is a board member for the Lee County Council on Aging, the third vice president for the Lee County branch of the NAACP, secretary of the Lee County Democratic Party and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[2]
In 2023, he was elected to the Bishopville city council and became its youngest member at 22 years old.[6][5]
South Carolina House of Representatives
After incumbent representative Will Wheeler resigned to run for the South Carolina Circuit Court, Scott announced his campaign for the June 2025 special election to fill the vacancy left in the South Carolina House of Representatives.[2] He defeated former Bishopville city councilmember Carl Whetsel in the Democratic primary by 11 votes, requiring a recount to certify him as the winner.[6] He faced Sumter County Republican Party Chair and former U.S. Air Force colonel Bill Oden in the general election.[7]
Decision Desk HQ called the election for Scott approximately an hour after polls closed.[8] At 24 years old, he will be the youngest member currently serving in the South Carolina General Assembly and the youngest person to be elected to it since Brandon Newton, who was elected at age 22 in 2016.[9][10]
Against the backdrop of efforts by Democrats to regain their footing after national losses in 2024, Scott's win received national attention.[11] [12] [13]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Keishan Scott | 1,436 | 50.19% | |
| Democratic | Carl Whetsel | 1,425 | 49.81% | |
| Total votes | 2,861 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 2,593 | 70.56% | |||
| Republican | William Oden | 1,078 | 29.33% | ||
| Write-in | 4 | 0.11% | |||
| Total votes | 3,675 | 100.0 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
References
- ^ Schechter, Mayan; Flanagan, Delaney (June 3, 2025). "Bishopville Democrat elected to fill open SC House seat". South Carolina Public Radio. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ a b c Currin, Deirdre (February 18, 2025). "Lee native is 3rd candidate to file for S.C. House District 50 race". The Item. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Meder, Ellen (March 6, 2013). "Bishopville 12-year-old preaching up a storm". SCNow. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Ward, Carol (June 27, 2023). "Grad student uses his passion for service to help move his hometown forward". University of South Carolina. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ a b Lawson, Walker (May 10, 2023). "Bishopville elects 21-year-old mayor, 22-year-old council member". WLTX. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ a b Chornobroff, Shaun (April 4, 2025). "A 24-year-old Democrat wins primary for SC House seat by 11 votes". South Carolina Daily Gazette. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ Cahn, Martin (May 26, 2025). "It's Scott vs. Oden in special House 50 election". Chronicle-Independent. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "South Carolina State House 50 Special Election General". Decision Desk HQ. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Bassett, Marley (June 3, 2025). "Democrat Keishan Scott wins House District 50 special election". WIS (TV). Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Chornobroff, Shaun (June 3, 2025). "24-year-old city council member wins SC House race". South Carolina Daily Gazette. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ "Democrats achieve landslide election win in South Carolina". Newsweek. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "Young Dem Clinches Landslide Election Win in Lindsey Graham's Backyard". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "Democrat Sweeps to Stunning Victory in South Carolina Special Election". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
- ^ "State House of Representatives District 50 Primary Recount April 4, 2025 Election Night Reporting". South Carolina Election Commission. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^ "STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 50 SPECIAL ELECTION, JUNE 3, 2025". South Carolina Secretary of State. June 3, 2025. Retrieved June 3, 2025.