TEGA CAY — State Senator Wes Climer (R-York) is taking a preemptive strike against the costs of political turnover. As he ramps up his campaign for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, Climer announced a legislative plan aimed at protecting York County taxpayers from the high price tag of a special election should he win his bid for Congress.
In a recent statement, Climer addressed a long-standing frustration in state politics: the “parting gift” of expensive special elections triggered when a sitting official moves to a higher office.
The Cost of a Special Election
Currently, when a legislator resigns mid-term, state law often mandates a separate election cycle. According to estimates from election officials, a special election for Climer’s Senate seat could cost between $150,000 and $270,000, depending on whether it requires a primary, a runoff, and a general election.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to shoulder that burden,” Climer stated. “I’m tremendously grateful to the people of York County… the last thing I want to do is cost them hard-earned money and leave them without representation for any period of time.”
The Solution: Senate Resolution 880
To bypass these costs, Climer worked with Senate leadership to craft S.880, a concurrent resolution that would modify the special election process for this cycle. Under the proposed terms:
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Concurrent Scheduling: The election to fill the seat would run on the same schedule as the existing 2026 general election (same filing period and primary dates).
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Irrevocable Resignation: A legislator can submit an irrevocable resignation dated in the future.
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Continuous Representation: This allows the official to continue serving until the day before the general election, ensuring the seat is never vacant.
Climer noted that while he believes this should be permanent law to save millions statewide, the resolution is the only viable path for the upcoming election cycle.
Putting it into Action
The resolution has already cleared the Senate and is currently awaiting consideration in the House. If passed and signed by Governor Henry McMaster, Climer has pledged to irrevocably resign his Senate seat effective November 2, 2026.
This move ensures that even if Climer is successful in his Congressional run, his Senate constituents will not go unrepresented for a single day, and the county will avoid the six-figure bill for a special vote.
“Resigning under the terms of this resolution is the only path I could find that would satisfy my responsibility to act in my constituents’ best interest,” Climer said, acknowledging that while he is working hard to earn the seat in the 5th District, the outcome remains in the hands of the voters.
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