Florence, S.C. – State Senator Mike Reichenbach, a 55‑year‑old car salesman who was elected lieutenant governor alongside Governor‑elect Alan Wilson, will submit an irrevocable declaration of resignation to Senate President Thomas Alexander no later than Nov. 16, 2026. His departure will create a vacancy in the 94th district of the South Carolina Senate, prompting a special election under state law (§ 8‑1‑145).
Election Timeline
If Reichenbach’s resignation is filed by the deadline, the Republican primary for the open seat will be held on Jan. 26, 2027. Should no candidate secure a majority, a runoff will follow on Feb. 9, 2027. The general election is scheduled for Apr. 6, 2027, giving voters a chance to choose the next legislator for Florence County.
Potential Candidates
Several Republicans have already announced their intent to run, including trial lawyer Hood Temple, oral surgeon Dr. Mark Lawhon, former prosecutor and barbecue‑restaurant owner John Holt, county councilman and businessman William Schofield, and insurance agent Richard Skinner, who previously sought the seat in 2016 with former Gov. Nikki Haley’s endorsement. State Rep. Jay Jordan, who narrowly missed the seat in 2022, is reportedly weighing a bid but remains undecided.
Democratic Interest
Although Republicans have held the seat for decades, Democrats are actively recruiting candidates. A release from the Democratic Women of Florence County emphasized the need for “qualified individuals—especially women ready to step up for working families, public education and healthcare access.” The party hopes to capitalize on the broader gains made by Democrats in the 2026 statewide elections.
Recent Political Context
The special election follows a surprisingly competitive 2026 general election in South Carolina, where Democrats captured a U.S. Senate seat for the first time in thirty years, flipped a Republican congressional district, and added ten seats in the state House. Despite these advances, Republicans still control 34 of the 46 Senate seats, a supermajority that has struggled to address affordability concerns highlighted during the campaign.
Implications for the Legislature
The winner of the special election will join the Senate for the 2027‑2028 session, which begins in January. They will need to defend the seat in the 2028 election cycle, when every Senate and House seat in the General Assembly will be up for grabs. This makes the upcoming race a critical early test of both parties’ ability to mobilize voters in the rural Pee Dee region.
What Voters Should Know
- Registration deadlines and polling locations will be announced by the South Carolina State Election Commission in early 2027.
- Voters can expect campaign events and candidate forums throughout the winter months leading up to the primary.
- Both parties are likely to emphasize issues important to working families, such as job creation, education, and healthcare access.
Stay tuned to local news outlets for updates on candidate filings, debate schedules, and voter information as the special election progresses.
Original reporting: FITSNews — read the source article.
