Spartanburg, South Carolina, October 23, 2025
News Summary
Lee Bright has won the GOP primary for South Carolina Senate District 12, achieving approximately 51% of the votes cast. The special elections held recently follow the upcoming vacancies due to resignations. Bright’s significant lead over his opponents, combined with the low voter turnout, sets the stage for a crucial special election later this year. Additionally, a runoff is scheduled for House District 21, highlighting the urgency of filling legislative seats amidst recent political events.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – Lee Bright has emerged victorious in the GOP primary for the South Carolina Senate District 12, as special elections were held on October 21, 2025, to fill soon-to-be vacant legislative seats. Bright claimed approximately 51% of the 5,008 votes cast, significantly leading his closest rival by nearly 24 percentage points.
The elections aimed to fill the spots being vacated by state Senator Roger Nutt (R-Spartanburg) and state Representative Bobby Cox (R-Greenville). Voters had the opportunity to cast their ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in various polling locations. Senate District 12 covers sections of both Greenville and Spartanburg counties, while House District 21 is situated entirely within Greenville County. There were 12 polling places in Greenville County and 28 in Spartanburg County, with voters able to find their locations and sample ballots at scvotes.gov.
In the Senate District 12 primary, Bright faced two opponents, Hope Blackley and Justin Bradley. Blackley received around 27% of the vote, while Bradley garnered approximately 22%. The turnout for the election was about 6% of the registered voters in the district. The special election for Senate District 12 is set to take place on December 23, 2025.
In a parallel race for House District 21, Dianne Mitchell and Steve Nail emerged as the top candidates but failed to secure a majority of votes, necessitating a runoff election scheduled for November 4, 2025. The House race saw a total of 2,212 votes cast, where Mitchell obtained approximately 37% of the votes, while Nail led with about 39%.
The urgency for these elections arose following the resignation of Bobby Cox, who stepped down from his House seat, claiming that it would save taxpayers from incurring expenses related to an additional special election. Cox resigned on the same day as Senator Nutt, noting the need to focus on his role as director of government relations for Sig Sauer. He expressed his intention to continue being active in politics in the future.
The context surrounding the House District 21 vacancy also includes the indictment of former Representative RJ May. May pleaded guilty to distributing child abuse videos, which led to the opening and necessity for this special election. Following the results of the upcoming runoff election, a final election for a District seat in the Lowcountry is scheduled for January 6, 2026.
As South Carolinians prepare for the December and January elections, anticipation grows around who will fill these critical legislative positions in light of recent events.
FAQ
What were the primary elections held for on October 21, 2025?
The primary elections were held to fill soon-to-be vacant legislative seats of state Sen. Roger Nutt (R-Spartanburg) and state Rep. Bobby Cox (R-Greenville).
Who won the GOP primary for Senate District 12?
Lee Bright won the GOP primary for Senate District 12 with approximately 51% of the 5,008 votes cast.
What are the upcoming election dates related to these races?
The Senate special election is scheduled for December 23, 2025, and the runoff for House District 21 is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
How many polling places were open for these elections?
There were 12 polling places open in Greenville County and 28 in Spartanburg County.
What led to the vacancy in House District 21?
The vacancy arose after former Rep. RJ May pleaded guilty to distributing child abuse videos, and Bobby Cox stepped down from his House seat to avoid taxpayer expenses from an additional special election.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Election Date | October 21, 2025 |
| Winning Candidate – Senate District 12 | Lee Bright – 51% of votes |
| Voter Turnout – Senate District 12 | Approximately 6% |
| Upcoming Special Election – Senate District 12 | December 23, 2025 |
| Candidates for House District 21 | Dianne Mitchell, Steve Nail – Runoff on November 4, 2025 |
| Reason for House Seat Vacancy | RJ May’s guilty plea and Bobby Cox’s resignation |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Roger Nutt Resigns from South Carolina Senate Due to Alzheimer’s
South Carolina Special Elections Announced Following Resignations of Lawmakers
Paul Dans Challenges Lindsey Graham in South Carolina Primary
South Carolina Bans Utility-Funded EV Chargers
Investigation Underway for Stabbing Incident in Greenville
Additional Resources
- South Carolina Daily Gazette: Former SC Senator Wins Back Upstate Seat
- Greenville Online: Greenville-Spartanburg Special Primary Election Voting
- WYFF4: Election Results for South Carolina House District 21 and Senate District 12
- Fox Carolina: Election Coverage for SC Senate District 12 and House District 21 Primaries
- Wikipedia: Elections in South Carolina
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