Tameika Isaac Devine projected winner of SC Senate District 19 primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Tameika Isaac Devine is the projected winner of the S.C. Senate District 19 Democratic primary.

The results came in shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday and showed Devine won 2,508 ballots, which was 51.74% of the vote. Kambrell Garvin tailed behind her with 45.33%.

“I’m inspired by the fact that as a person coming in, I know myself, I like challenges,” she said after her win.

Javar Juarez and Johnnie Cordero received less than 100 votes each.

Few of those who were registered to vote turned out at the polls during early voting and on Election Day. According to the latest numbers from the Richland County Election Commission, only around 7% of all eligible voters came to the polls for this election.

The special election is in place to fill the seat of the late Senator John Scott, who passed away in August.

Devine will face off against a Republican challenger and two other candidates in a general election in January.

Residents will vote in that election on Jan. 2, 2024. The newly-elected senator will resume power on Jan. 3 before the legislative session begins on Jan. 9.

“We’re going to make sure that our voters come out and that we keep this seat as a Democratic seat for the citizens of District 19,” Devine said after her win.

Senate District 19 leans heavily toward the Democratic candidate. Scott held this seat for more than a decade and the voters in this district overwhelmingly chose President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

“I’m going to continue Sen. Scott’s legacy ... But I’m my own person,” Devine said.

WIS News 10 recently conducted an interview with the four Democratic primary candidates where they discussed their platform and relevant issues they plan on tackling if elected.

The Republican candidate, Kizzie Smalls, is running unopposed.

Michael Addison is running as an Independent and Chris Nelums is running under the United Citizens party.

View election results here.

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