Sandy Senn

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Sandy Senn
Member of the South Carolina Senate
from the 41st district
Assumed office
November 14, 2016
Preceded byPaul Thurmond
Personal details
Born (1963-06-27) June 27, 1963 (age 60)
Orangeburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRande A. Lane
Children3
EducationUniversity of South Carolina (JD)
ProfessionAttorney
WebsiteCampaign website

Sandy Senn (born June 27, 1963) is a member of the South Carolina Senate from the 41st District, serving since 2016.[1] She is a member of the Republican Party.[2]

Political career[edit]

Committees[edit]

Senn chairs the Charleston County Senate Legislative Delegation. She serves on the Senate Corrections and Penology; Judiciary; Labor, Commerce and Industry; Medical Affairs, and Transportation Committees.[3]

Senn also serves on the following Joint Committees: the South Carolina Youth Smoking Prevention Advisory Commission and Palmetto Pride PRT.[4] [5]

2016 Senate race[edit]

See also: 2016 South Carolina Senate election

Senn won a runoff in the Republican primary to replace incumbent Paul Thurmond, who did not seek re-election. She won the general election with no Democratic opposition.[6]

2020 Senate race[edit]

See also: 2020 South Carolina Senate election

Senn defeated Democratic nominee Sam Skardon in the general election.[7]

2024 Senate race[edit]

See also: 2024 South Carolina Senate election

Senn faces State Representative Matt Leber in the Republican primary for the 2024 South Carolina Senate election.[8]

Positions[edit]

Education[edit]

In 2021, Senator Senn drew criticism from conservatives due to her support for masking schoolchildren.[9] Senn called for a special session to reconsider the state’s ban on mask mandates in schools.[10]

Elections, Health, Law Enforcement[edit]

In 2023 and 2024, Senn co-sponsored the following bills, all signed into law by the Governor: a bill to provide for extension of an election protest filing deadline[11]; the State Health Facility Licensure Act[12]; the South Carolina First Responder Line of Duty Death Benefit Fund[13]; a bill supporting Development of Workforce Housing[14], and a bill requiring Tuberculosis testing in nursing homes.[15]

Guns[edit]

In 2017, Senn voted against constitutional carry, and in 2021, she was the only Republican in either chamber to vote against the Open Carry with Training Act.[16][17] In 2020, Senn received a 17% rating from the NRA, while in 2016, she was one of only a few Republican politicians in the entire United States to receive a 0% NRA rating.[18]

Economy[edit]

According to the conservative Club for Growth Foundation, Sandy Senn is the lowest-ranked Republican in South Carolina for fiscal conservatism, with a 14% rating. [19] In 2024, Senn was among legislators pushing for a study committee to review and provide remedies for insurance costs on small businesses.[20]

Abortion[edit]

Senn supports the right to choose in pregnancy. She has stated that the issue surrounding abortion access "[has] been about control"[21] In 2023, she joined with a Democrat, an Independent and two other Republican women state senators, calling themselves, "The Sister Senators": Sen. Mia McLeod(I-Richland), Sen. Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington), Sen. Penry Gustafson (R-Kershaw), Sen. Margie Bright-Matthews (D-Colleton), and Senn. They blocked passage of a bill that would ban almost all abortions in South Carolina, except for first-trimester terminations in cases of rape or incest. Senn said the Republicans threatened to recruit and back an opponent to her in 2024.[22]


Awards and recognitions[edit]

In September 2023, it was announced that Senn and the "Sister Senators" had been selected to receive the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award, joining prominent recipients such as George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, Bob Inglis, Nancy Pelosi, John McCain and Gabrielle Giffords.[23] The award was presented in an October 2023 ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.[24]

Controversies[edit]

Racial comments[edit]

In October 2021, Senn sent an email to all 46 state senators, their staff, and the senate clerk, describing the late African American State Senator Stephen Swails as "the whitest looking black guy I've ever seen."[25]

False claims regarding political opponents[edit]

On May 9, 2024, Sandy Senn released a campaign ad accusing her Republican challenger, Representative Matt Leber, of never having received a college degree.[26] Later, an investigation by the Post and Courier revealed that the information provided the Senn campaign was incorrect and that Leber had indeed received a college degree.[27]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  2. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  3. ^ "Senator Sandy Senn". South Carolina Legislature. 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Reid, Charles F. (January 18, 2024). "Joint and Special Committees of the Senate and House" (PDF). South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "Structure and Leadership". Palmetto Pride. 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  6. ^ "Sandy Senn wins District 41 seat". WCSC-TV. June 28, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  7. ^ Fortier-Bensen, Tony (November 4, 2020). "Sandy Senn wins SC Senate seat after Sam Skardon concedes". WCIV-TV. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Byrd, Caitlin (2023-09-17). "Charleston Republican state senator gets challenger from GOP right flank over abortion ban". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  9. ^ https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article253534464.html
  10. ^ "State senators call for special session to reconsider SC's school mask mandate ban". WSPA 7NEWS. 2021-08-17. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  11. ^ "AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 7-17-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXTENSION OF AN ELECTION PROTEST FILING DEADLINE WHICH FALLS ON A LEGAL HOLIDAY". South Carolina Legislature. February 28, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY RENAMING ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 44 AS THE "STATE HEALTH FACILITY LICENSURE ACT"; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-7-110, 44-7-120, 44-7-130, 44-7-150, AND 44-7-320, ALL RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN THE STATE, SO AS TO ELIMINATE REFERENCES TO CERTIFICATE OF NEED; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-160, RELATING TO CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIREMENTS, SO AS TO APPLY ONLY TO NURSING HOMES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-161 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA MUST APPEAR BEFORE THE JOINT BOND REVIEW COMMITTEE AND OBTAIN APPROVAL FROM THE STATE FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AUTHORITY PRIOR TO TAKING CERTAIN ACTIONS; BY ESTABLISHING THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED STUDY COMMITTEE TO ASSESS HEALTH CARE IN RURAL SOUTH CAROLINA; BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-266 SO AS TO REQUIRE AMBULATORY SURGICAL FACILITIES TO PROVIDE UNCOMPENSATED INDIGENT CARE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-170, RELATING TO CERTIFICATE OF NEED EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-190, RELATING TO PROJECT REVIEW CRITERIA, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PRIORITIZATION OF TIMELY ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES; BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-200, RELATING TO THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED APPLICATION PROCESS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE TIMELINE FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS; AND BY AMENDING SECTIONS 44-7-210 AND 44-7-220, RELATING TO CERTIFICATE OF NEED ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS, SO AS TO SHORTEN CERTAIN TIME FRAMES OF THESE PROCEEDINGS AND ELIMINATE THE ROLE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS". South Carolina Legislature. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  13. ^ "AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 9-1-1770, RELATING TO PRERETIREMENT DEATH BENEFIT PROGRAMS UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A DEATH BENEFIT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE AMOUNT OF THE BENEFIT, TO PROVIDE WHO SHALL RECEIVE THE DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT, AND TO PROVIDE THE SOURCE OF THE REVENUE FOR THE PAYMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 9-11-120, RELATING TO A PRERETIREMENT DEATH BENEFIT PROGRAM UNDER THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A DEATH BENEFIT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE AMOUNT OF THE BENEFIT, TO PROVIDE WHO SHALL RECEIVE THE DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT, AND TO PROVIDE THE SOURCE OF THE REVENUE FOR THE PAYMENT; BY AMENDING SECTION 42-7-90, RELATING TO EXPENDITURES FROM THE STATE ACCIDENT FUND, SO AS TO ADD "FIRST RESPONDER LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFIT"; AND BY ADDING SECTION 42-7-220 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST RESPONDER LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFIT FUND". South Carolina Legislature. June 14, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  14. ^ "AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 6-1-530, RELATING TO USE OF REVENUE FROM LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAX, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORKFORCE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES MAY BE USED; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-4-10, RELATING TO THE USE OF CERTAIN REVENUE FROM THE ACCOMMODATIONS TAX, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORKFORCE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE FUNDS MAY BE USED; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-4-15, RELATING TO THE USE OF REVENUES TO FINANCE BONDS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORKFORCE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH BONDS MAY BE ISSUED; BY ADDING SECTION 6-4-12 SO AS TO REQUIRE A LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO PREPARE A HOUSING IMPACT ANALYSIS BEFORE USING SUCH FUNDS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING; BY AMENDING SECTIONS 6-4-5 AND 6-1-510, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO ADD CERTAIN DEFINITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 6-29-510, RELATING TO LOCAL PLANNING, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE PLANNING COMMISSION MUST SOLICIT INPUT FOR THE ANALYSIS FROM HOMEBUILDERS AND OTHER EXPERTS WHEN DEVELOPING A HOUSING ELEMENT FOR THE LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; TO CREATE THE LAND DEVELOPMENT STUDY COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE METHODS TO PLAN FOR AND MANAGE LAND DEVELOPMENT; AND TO REQUIRE A REPORT DETAILING THE EFFECTS OF THIS ACT ON TOURISM AND WORKFORCE HOUSING". South Carolina Legislature. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-31-40 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE FOR THE TUBERCULOSIS TESTING OF APPLICANT RESIDENTS AND NEWLY ADMITTED RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOMES AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES IN THIS STATE". South Carolina Legislature. May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  16. ^ "Bill granting permit-less gun carry advances in South Carolina Senate while legislation closing 'Charleston loophole' stalls for the year". Post and Courier. 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  17. ^ "Trained SC gun owners will likely soon be able to carry openly after Senate approves bill". Post and Courier. 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  18. ^ "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  19. ^ https://clubforgrowthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2023-South-Carolina-House-Scorecard-FINAL.pdf
  20. ^ Rademaker, Melissa (January 1, 2024). "SC leaders push for study of insurance costs, possible new regulations". WCSC-TV. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  21. ^ Restrepo, Manuela (April 28, 2023). "This Republican S.C. lawmaker helped block a 'crazily oppressive' abortion bill". NPR. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023.
  22. ^ Republican women are helping block an abortion ban in South Carolina, WBTW, May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "Award Recipients | JFK Library". www.jfklibrary.org. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  24. ^ Le Blanc, Steve (2023-09-19). "'Sister senators' who fought abortion ban to receive JFK Profile in Courage award". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  25. ^ https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article255028397.html
  26. ^ https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/south-carolina-senate-race-matt-leber-sandy-senn/article_60ad9f8e-112b-11ef-aa8c-4bd305ca8ea2.html
  27. ^ https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/south-carolina-senate-race-matt-leber-sandy-senn/article_60ad9f8e-112b-11ef-aa8c-4bd305ca8ea2.html

External links[edit]

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