In a Special Election for South Carolina House District 50 Tuesday, 24-year-old Keishan Scott won in a blow-out victory against incumbent Republican William Oden.
The Bishopville Democratic Rep.-elect has now become the youngest lawmaker in South Carolina, and one of the youngest legislators in the U.S., after winning his seat by 41-percentage-points.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) President Heather Williams celebrated the victory.
“The DLCC congratulates Representative-elect Scott on his historic special election victory– he’ll bring a fresh perspective and vibrant energy to his community’s most important fights,” she said. “The candidates who run at this ballot level are America’s future statewide and national leaders, and the success of Keishan and other young Democrats highlights how this ballot level is a strong pipeline for the future of the party and our country.”
In an interview early Tuesday, Scott told South Carolina Public Radio he was born and raised in his District and knows what it needs to move it forward. District 50 is located in Lee County, one of the state’s least populated areas.
“One of the greatest needs of our district is the need for health care because it is a rural district,” Scott said. “After 5 (p.m.), most people in the district need to travel upwards of 40 minutes to receive care.”
“Keishan proved what is possible when we organize and run a sharp, focused campaign — and his win sets the tone for 2026,” House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford said in a statement. “I look forward to welcoming him to our caucus and working with him to make South Carolina the best that it can be.”
Scott is a young minister from Bishopville who ran to keep the district blue after it was vacated by Bishopville Democratic Rep. Will Wheeler, after he announced his resignation three days into South Carolina’s 2025 Session, according to the South Carolina Daily Gazette.
Scott spent his childhood serving the community through volunteering at a local senior center during his summer breaks, and is a first-generation college graduate, earning degrees from Central Carolina Technical College and the University of South Carolina, according to his campaign website.
Scott’s key priorities include access to health care, quality education, workforce empowerment, and improving infrastructure.
