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]
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]
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.[4]
2020 Senate race[edit]
See also: 2020 South Carolina Senate election
Senn had no Republican opposition, and defeated Democratic nominee Sam Skardon.[5]
2024 Senate race[edit]
See also: 2024 South Carolina Senate election
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. [6]
Positions[edit]
Education[edit]
In 2021, Senator Senn drew criticism from conservatives due to her support for masking schoolchildren.[7] Senn called for a special session to reconsider the state’s ban on mask mandates in schools.[8]
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.[9][10]
Standards of medical care[edit]
Senn supports the right to choose in pregnancy. She has stated that the issue surrounding abortion access "[has] been about control"[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]
In September 2023 it was announced that "The Sister Senators" had been selected to receive the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award. The award was presented in an October 2023 ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.[14]
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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/charleston-republican-state-senator-gets-challenger-from-gop-right-flank-over-abortion-ban/article_fba9076a-4680-11ee-9ffb-b35e243cb8d5.html
- ^ https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article253534464.html
- ^ https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/state-senators-call-for-special-session-to-reconsider-scs-school-mask-mandate-prohibition/
- ^ https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/bill-granting-permit-less-gun-carry-advances-in-south-carolina-senate-while-legislation-closing-charleston/article_dbb6f6ec-2f4e-11e7-8ef4-0bd8e3d94cf1.html
- ^ https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/trained-sc-gun-owners-will-likely-soon-be-able-to-carry-openly-after-senate-approves/article_51e7ea78-adc3-11eb-af26-7b536a0c2134.html
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
External links[edit]
- Sister Senators' speeches at John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Profiles in Courage Award Ceremony
