U.S. House · South Carolina's 5th District
South Carolina's 5th Congressional District (north-central South Carolina, including Rock Hill and Sumter)
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Wes Climer, projected winner
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Wes Climer | 151,497 | 52.8% |
| Mallory Dittmer | 135,203 | 47.1% |
| Total Write-ins | 158 | 0.1% |
About 99% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- Open seat: incumbent Ralph Norman (R) withdrew and did not appear on the June 9, 2026 Republican primary ballot. That primary was then canceled and Wes Climer, a sitting state senator, advanced as the Republican nominee.[1]
- Mallory Dittmer won the Democratic primary on June 9, 2026 with 55.8% of the vote, defeating Andrew Clough.[1]
On the November 3 ballot · 2 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations
- Wes Climer—
- Mallory DittmerSupports[4]
Her campaign site calls for fair tax and trade policies that make billionaires and corporations pay their fair share.
Expand public health coverage
- Wes Climer—
- Mallory DittmerSupports[3]
Says she will work to reverse cuts to healthcare programs.
Public funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
- Wes Climer—
- Mallory DittmerOpposes[5]
Her campaign site calls for keeping public taxpayer funds within the public school system.
Raise the minimum wage
- Wes Climer—
- Mallory DittmerSupports[3]
Says she will support raising the minimum wage.
Research notes & limits
Basic-tier research. This is an open seat (no sitting House incumbent), so Climer's record reflects his current state-senate role rather than federal service; a Forward Party candidate (Andy Kaplan) who won that party's convention withdrew before the general election per Ballotpedia and is not included. Climer's early-career details (congressional aide, 2006-2011) come from Wikipedia; his campaign website does not give his employer or dates.
Sources · 17
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.South Carolina's 5th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Wes Climer · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Mallory Dittmer · Ballotpedia (Candidate Connection survey) Candidate's own words
- 4.Economy · Mallory Dittmer for Congress campaign website · 2026-10-03 Candidate's own words
- 5.Education · Mallory Dittmer for Congress campaign website · 2026-10-03 Candidate's own words
- 6.Wes Climer · Ballotpedia Reference
- 7.Senator Wes Climer · South Carolina Legislature Online Official record
- 8.About Wes - Wes Climer for Congress · Wes Climer for Congress Candidate's own words
- 9.Wes Climer · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 10.South Carolina's 5th District election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 11.Senator Wes Climer Formalizes Senate Resignation Ahead of Congressional Bid · WRHI News report
- 12.Mallory Dittmer · Ballotpedia (Candidate Connection survey) Candidate's own words
- 13.About - Mallory Dittmer for Congress SC District 5 · Dittmer for Congress Candidate's own words
- 14.Mallory Dittmer announces bid for South Carolina's 5th Congressional District seat · ABC News 4 (WCIV) News report
- 15.Mallory Dittmer Wins Democratic Nomination for Congress in South Carolina's 5th District · WRHI News report
- 16.Mallory Dittmer Launches Campaign for South Carolina's 5th Congressional District · WRHI · 2025-10-04 News report
- 17.U.S. House · South Carolina's 5th District results 2026 · NBC News News report