Keishan Scott, a 24-year-old Bishopville city councilman, was elected Tuesday to a Pee Dee-area South Carolina House seat.
The Democrat defeated Sumter Republican William Oden in a special election to represent House District 50.
With roughly 14% voter turnout, unofficial state election results late Tuesday showed Scott with nearly 71% of the vote to Oden's 29%. The results will be certified later this week.
Scott will fill the unexpired term of former Democratic state Rep. Will Wheeler, who resigned his seat in January. That term ends after next year's general election in November.
"I'm a son of District 50," Scott told SC Public Radio early Tuesday by phone. "District 50 is where I was born and raised, so I understand what it takes to move us forward."
The district — the State Election Commission records more than 25,000 registered voters — includes parts of Kershaw and Sumter counties and all of Lee County.
Of three counties, only Kershaw County has grown in population since 2020, according to the latest U.S. Census data.
Kershaw County, home to the city of Camden, has ballooned in population, thanks in part to its proximity to Columbia and to Charlotte. Sumter, meanwhile, is home to the Shaw Air Force Base, and boasts a large military community.
Lee County — known for Lizard Man sightings and the Pearl Fryar topiary garden — is one of the state's least-populous counties.
"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."
Scott, a first-generation college graduate, said his top priorities are improving health care access, education, infrastructure and workforce.
Scott's victory brings Democrats' membership in the 124-member House to 36. Republicans hold 88 seats.
“This is a great night for Democrats,” House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, said in a statement Tuesday. “Keishan proved what is possible when we organize and run a sharp, focused campaign — and his win sets the tone for 2026. I look forward to welcoming him to our caucus and working with him to make South Carolina the best that it can be.”
In a video posted to Scott's Facebook account Tuesday, he thanked his supporters and said every day at the Statehouse he will "carry the people with me."
"I am blessed," he said at his election night party. "I am so grateful."
