Sandy Senn
Sandy Senn | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 41st district | |
| Assumed office November 14, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Thurmond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 27, 1963 Orangeburg, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Rande A. Lane |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of South Carolina (JD) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Website | Campaign 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]
Positions and political career[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]
Education[edit]
In 2021, Senator Senn drew criticism from conservatives due to her support for masking schoolchildren.[4] Senn called for a special session to reconsider the state’s ban on mask mandates in schools.[5]
Guns[edit]
Senn stated, "As a lawyer, I understand the law and The Constitution. As your senator, I will work to defend The Constitution, including the 2nd Amendment." However, in 2017, Senn controversially voted against constitutional carry, and in 2021, she was the only Republican in either chamber to vote against the Open Carry with Training Act.[6][7] 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.[8]
Abortion[edit]
Senn supports the right to choose in pregnancy. She has stated that the issue surrounding abortion access "[has] been about control"[9] 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 male state senators from passing 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.[10] On May 23, 2023, Senate Republicans passed another bill that severely restricted abortion rights to six weeks, a time when most women don't even know they're pregnant, exceptions made only in cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormalities or the woman's life or health, and paving the way for a Supreme Court confrontation over its elements.[11]
In September 2023, it was announced that "The Sister Senators" had been selected to receive the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award, joining prominent recipients such as Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Gabrielle Giffords.[12] The award was presented in an October 2023 ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.[13]
Taxes[edit]
In 2017, Senn voted to support a gas tax increase, as well as a bill that requires all bars, restaurants and venues that serve alcohol after 5 p.m. to carry a $1 million liability insurance policy.[14]
2016 Senate race[edit]
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.[15]
2020 Senate race[edit]
Senn had no Republican opposition, and defeated Democratic nominee Sam Skardon.[16]
2024 Senate race[edit]
In September 2023, State Representative Matt Leber announced that he was running against Senn in the Republican primary, questioning her conservative bona fides, citing her pro-choice stance and multiple votes against the Second Amendment.[17]
Controversies[edit]
Racial insensitivity[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."[18] Rather than apologizing for her racially insensitive comments, Senn described her remarks as "something positive" and "spot-on."[19]
Additionally, Sandy Senn was accused of misandry over her October 4, 2020, statements to the Charleston League of Women Voters, stating, “The last thing we need is one more white male in the Senate."[20]
Campaign contributions[edit]
In May 2024, it was revealed that Sandy Senn made contributions to the campaigns of several prominent South Carolina Democrats, including former Charleston mayor John Tecklenburg and Democratic State Representatives Wendell Gilliard, Leon Stavrinakis, and Anne Hutto.[21]
References[edit]
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "Senator Sandy Senn". South Carolina Legislature. 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article253534464.html
- ^ "State senators call for special session to reconsider SC's school mask mandate ban". WSPA 7NEWS. 2021-08-17. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Vote Smart | Facts For All". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Republican women are helping block an abortion ban in South Carolina, WBTW, May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ South Carolina Senate passes abortion ban, setting up Supreme Court showdown, The Hill, Nathaniel Weixel, May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "Award Recipients | JFK Library". www.jfklibrary.org. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ LeBlanc, Steve (September 19, 2023). "'Sister senators' who fought abortion ban to receive JFK Profile in Courage award". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ LeBlanc, Steve (September 19, 2023). "'Sister senators' who fought abortion ban to receive JFK Profile in Courage award". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ "Sandy Senn wins District 41 seat". WCSC-TV. June 28, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ Fortier-Bensen, Tony (November 4, 2020). "Sandy Senn wins SC Senate seat after Sam Skardon concedes". WCIV-TV. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article255028397.html
- ^ https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article255028397.html
- ^ Sen Sandy Senn agrees with Chs city mask mandate. Retrieved 2024-05-10 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ https://apps.sc.gov/PublicReporting/Contributions/Contributor.aspx
External links[edit]
- Sister Senators' speeches at John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Profiles in Courage Award Ceremony
