Surrounded by friends, family and supporters at the South Carolina State House on Monday, Rep. Ivory Thigpen announced that he is running for Senate Seat 22. Senate District 22 is based in the northeastern section of Richland County.
The seat is currently held by Senator Mia McLeod, who left the Democrat Party in January 2023 to become an independent. Senator McLeod quit the Party after an unsuccessful run for Governor. She blamed her loss on a lack of support from party officials, who she said were focused on attracting white moderates instead of addressing the needs of its Black constituents.
Thigpen said that McLeod’s decision to leave the party put Democrats in a severe disadvantage with only 15 Democrats in the Senate. At his press conference, Rep. Thigpen said that he spent the past 12 months trying to talk Senator McLeod into returning to the Party, but could no longer wait for her to make a decision.
“Leadership is about decision,” Thigpen said. “A decision has been made and we’re going to stand by that decision. We wish the senator the best of luck.”
Rep. Thigpen also said that the district needs someone who can work across party lines to get issues resolved.
South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Ivory Thigpen announced a run for the SC Senate District 22 seat.
“We need someone who will be bold in making courageous decisions,” he said, “Who will talk about common sense legislation who will provide leadership, not simply in the words they say, but the actions that they take.”
Rep. Ivory Thigpen currently represents House District 79. He has served the constituents in his district since 2017. In his brief time in the House, he has risen through the ranks to become the chairman of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. He currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Rules Committee.
Rep. Thigpen serves as the pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church on Hardscrabble Road. He also owns a chiropractic facility on Farrow Road.
Former Richland County School Board member Monica Elkins also recently announced that she was running for the Senate seat. The primary will be held on June 11. The winner will potentially face a three-way race in November against McLeod and a potential Republican candidate.
