Ivory Torrey Thigpen Jr. is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic party.[1]

Ivory Torrey Thigpen
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 79th district
Assumed office
November 14, 2016
Preceded byMia McLeod
Personal details
Born (1978-05-11) May 11, 1978 (age 45)
Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materJackson State University (B.S.)
Palmer College of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Morehouse School of Religion (M.Div.)
Professionpastor, physician

Political career edit

South Carolina House of Representatives edit

Thigpen is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 79th District, serving since 2016.[2] He serves on the House Judiciary and Rules committee.[3]

In 2023, Thigpen was elected Chair of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.[4]

2024 State Senate election edit

In January 2024, Thigpen announced his candidacy for State Senate District 22, the seat currently held by incumbent Mia McLeod.[5][6][7] Thigpen will face educator Dr. Monica Elkins in the Democratic Primary.[8]

In February 2024, businessman Hamilton Grant announced plans to run for House District 79, the seat currently held by Thigpen.[9]

On April 1, 2024, McLeod announced that she would not seek re-election. Richland County Council member Overture Walker joined Thigpen and Elkins as candidates for the Democratic Primary nomination. Lee Blatt filed to run as a Republican candidate for the seat.[10] [11]

Electoral history edit

District 79
Year Candidate Votes Pct Candidate Votes Pct Candidate Votes Pct
2016 Democratic Primary[12] Ivory Torrey Thigpen 2,105 46.74% Monica Elkins 2,074 46.05% Vannie Williams, Jr. 325 7.22%
2016 Democratic Primary Runoff[13] Ivory Torrey Thigpen 1,275 63.88% Monica Elkins 721 36.12%
2016 General Election[14] Ivory Torrey Thigpen 13,366 73.03% Donald Miles 4,581 25.03% Victor Kocher 354 1.93%
2018 Democratic Primary Ivory Torrey Thigpen (i) Winner
2018 General Election[15] Ivory Torrey Thigpen (i) 13,307 87.8% Victor Kocher 1,782 11.8% Others/Write-in 63 0.4%

External links edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  2. ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "Representative Ivory Torrey Thigpen". South Carolina Legislature. 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "Leadership". South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. ^ Davis, Kimberlei (January 22, 2024). "Representative Thigpen launches bid for SC Senate District 22 seat". WACH-TV. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  6. ^ Reynolds, Nick (January 22, 2024). "SC Statehouse's only Democrat-turned-independent senator draws another challenger". The Post and Courier. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Bustos, Joseph (January 23, 2024). "SC's McLeod ditched the Democratic party. Now, this Democrat is gunning for her Senate seat". The State Newspaper. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Mcconchie, Brian (November 15, 2023). "Longtime educator to run for State Senate seat". WACH-TV. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Parrilla-Guerrero, Mayra (February 14, 2024). "Hamilton Grant announces run for SC House District 79". WIS-TV. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "Longtime Richland politician announces she will not seek reelection". WLTX-TV. April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Bustos, Joseph (April 1, 2024). "SC Sen. McLeod left Democratic Party in 2023. Now she'll stay off 2024 ballot". The State Newspaper. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - Dem Primary". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  13. ^ "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - Dem Primary Runoff". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  14. ^ "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - General Election". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  15. ^ "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - General Election". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.