Voters on James Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island will head to the polls this Tuesday, August 11th for the Special Election for SC House District 115. Democrat Spencer Wetmore and Republican Josh Stokes will face off for Peter McCoy’s seat after the former state representative was appointed to the position of U.S. Attorney earlier this year.
Tuesday’s election may be considered the most important state legislative race this year. A win for Wetmore would be an impressive start to the 2020 election cycle for Democrats in South Carolina and could provide momentum for campaigns that are working to flip traditionally red districts across the state.
SC House District 115 is a key Charleston County swing district — the district narrowly voted for Donald Trump in 2016 prior to Congressman Joe Cunningham winning roughly 60% of the vote in 2018. Democrats in the Lowcountry have set their sights on a number of other state and local districts experiencing a similar pro-Democratic swing.
A victory on Tuesday will give the winner a big boost heading into the November 3rd General Election — and fill the vacant House seat in time to vote on matters that will be taken up during the Legislative Session in September.
Democrat Spencer Wetmore is up against a tough Republican opponent in Josh Stokes. Stokes currently serves as a James Island council member and works as an attorney at McCoy & Stokes, LLC, the law firm he founded with former Representative Peter McCoy.
However, Wetmore’s tenure as the City Administrator of Folly Beach and her previous work in the Charleston County Solicitor’s Office have given her broad appeal, with a reputation as a public servant who gets results. Her campaign argues she has the experience and dedication needed to represent constituents in the legislature.
Wetmore’s record of working across the aisle is a clear advantage heading into Tuesday as her campaign has won the support of numerous independents and moderate Republicans. Notably, Republican Mayor Tim Goodwin of Folly Beach endorsed Wetmore alongside five members of Folly Beach city council. This overwhelming show of support is a clear testament to her track record working on behalf of the people of Folly Beach.
Wetmore’s campaign has earned more than its fair share of support from Democrats, too, with endorsements from trusted Lowcountry leaders like Congressman Joe Cunningham, Senator Marlon Kimpson, and Representative Leon Stavrinakis. Wetmore has also been endorsed by U.S. Senate candidate Jaime Harrison who is currently polling in a dead heat against Lindsey Graham.
Perhaps the endorsement with the strongest impact on the race came from her former rival, Carol Tempel. Wetmore edged out Tempel in the Democratic Primary runoff on June 23rd. The support of Tempel, a retired former educator and respected progressive community activist, provides a big boost for Wetmore.
As the race comes to a head on August 11th, it’s clear that Democrats see Wetmore’s election as the spark that could fuel their next three months of action leading up to November 3rd, making Tuesday’s election one to watch.