Photo: scstatehouse.govSC · Officeholder
RState Senator · District 15
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. House · South Carolina's 5th District
Wes Climer is a Republican state senator from York County, first elected to the South Carolina Senate in 2016, and the Republican nominee for the open 5th District seat. A financial advisor by trade, he chairs the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. According to his campaign website, he is running on cutting taxes, limiting spending and supporting President Trump's agenda.[1][2][3]
Climer was born September 26, 1982, in Charlotte, North Carolina; the state Senate biography lists him as an Eagle Scout, and his campaign website says he was raised in South Carolina. He earned a B.A. from Furman University in 2006.[2][3][4] According to Wikipedia, he worked from 2006 to 2011 as a Washington, D.C.-based congressional aide to Rep. Patrick McHenry and Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Bill Cassidy. His campaign website describes him as a financial advisor and business owner.[4][3]
Climer won the 2016 Republican primary for South Carolina Senate District 15 against incumbent Robert W. Hayes Jr., who had held the seat since 1991, and took office November 14, 2016. He was re-elected in 2020. He chairs the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and also serves on the Family and Veterans' Services, Finance, Labor, Commerce and Industry, Legislative Oversight and Transportation committees.[1][4][2] In June 2025 he and attorney Dick Harpootlian sued the State of South Carolina over the legislature's budget pay raise for lawmakers, which they said violated the state constitution; he declined the additional pay.[4]
Climer announced his run for the 5th District on July 31, 2025, after Rep. Ralph Norman said he would run for governor; Norman endorsed him on August 21, 2025. The Republican primary on June 9, 2026, was canceled, and he faces Democrat Mallory Dittmer in November.[1][4] According to his campaign website, he is a husband and father of five.[3]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
Full candidate research ›U.S. House · South Carolina's 5th District ›
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
On the version voted Aug 11, 2026: Appropriates money and provides revenues for the ordinary expenses of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, regulates how those funds are spent, and sets other provisions for operating state government that year.
Apr 21, 2026 · Passed 21–20 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Mar 19, 2026: Sets up licensing and regulation of hemp-derived beverages and chewables under the Department of Revenue, with a 10 milligram per serving THC cap, a minimum sales age of 21, and excise taxes.
Mar 18, 2026 · Passed 22–18 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act
Requires the legislature to approve, by joint resolution, state regulations estimated to cost $1 million or more over five years, directs courts to review agency interpretations of statutes and regulations without deference, and sets periodic Legislative Audit Council reviews of agency regulations.
May 14, 2026 · Failed 22–22 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
On the version voted Jun 25, 2026: Makes DUI causing moderate injury a felony punishable by 90 days to 10 years in prison, creates reckless-driving offenses for causing injury, lengthens license suspensions for refusing alcohol tests, expands ignition interlock rules, and has circuit solicitors prosecute first and second DUI offenses.
Feb 4, 2026 · Failed 19–27 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act
Requires the legislature to approve, by joint resolution, state regulations estimated to cost $1 million or more over five years, directs courts to review agency interpretations of statutes and regulations without deference, and sets periodic Legislative Audit Council reviews of agency regulations.
May 14, 2026 · Failed 22–22 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Redistricting, Congressional Districts
On the version voted May 20, 2026: Replaces the congressional district map with new boundaries for the seven U.S. House districts (by county, voting district and census block), repeals the current district statute, and holds a special U.S. House primary on August 18, 2026 that replaces the June 9 results.
May 22, 2026 · Failed 26–15 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
On the version voted Mar 19, 2026: Sets up licensing and regulation of hemp-derived beverages and chewables under the Department of Revenue, with a 10 milligram per serving THC cap, a minimum sales age of 21, and excise taxes.
Mar 18, 2026 · Passed 22–18 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Jun 25, 2026: Allows adults 18 and older to buy FDA-approved human-use ivermectin over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription, kept behind the counter, with Board of Pharmacy screening and information rules and dispensing bans when contraindications exist.
May 13, 2026 · Passed 38–3 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Regulation
Requires e-cigarette makers to certify their products' federal authorization status to be listed in an Attorney General directory, bans selling unlisted vaping products starting in 2027, bars labels and marketing aimed at children, and sets fines and seizure for violations.
Feb 5, 2026 · Passed 40–6 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Education Scholarship Trust Fund
On the version voted Feb 26, 2025: Changes the Education Scholarship Trust Fund: drops the prior public-school attendance requirement, ends the income limit and 15,000-student cap from 2027-28 so participation depends on appropriations, and raises the education department's administrative share from 2 percent to 7 percent.
Apr 16, 2025 · Passed 29–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
South Carolina High School Athletic Association
Beginning June 30, 2027, bars public schools from joining or funding a high school athletic association unless its rules require a board with legislative appointees, Legislative Audit Council audits, legislative budget oversight, and set rules on private-school, charter and home-school athletes.
May 7, 2026 · Passed 24–17 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Intercollegiate Athletes' Compensation for Name, Image, or Likeness
Feb 17, 2026 · Passed 30–13 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
On the version voted Jun 25, 2026: Makes DUI causing moderate injury a felony punishable by 90 days to 10 years in prison, creates reckless-driving offenses for causing injury, lengthens license suspensions for refusing alcohol tests, expands ignition interlock rules, and has circuit solicitors prosecute first and second DUI offenses.
Feb 4, 2026 · Failed 19–27 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Watercraft Liability Insurance
Requires owners of watercraft over 70 horsepower, personal watercraft and specialty propcraft to carry at least $50,000 in liability insurance, with owners certifying coverage at registration and penalties for violations.
Feb 3, 2026 · Passed 24–19 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted May 13, 2026: Lets utility terrain vehicles be registered and driven on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or less by licensed drivers 17 and older, with a $10 fee every two years and insurance and safety rules; also allows golf carts near large athletic events.
Apr 16, 2026 · Passed 22–14 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs (C-PACE)
Lets counties and cities create voluntary C-PACE programs in which owners of commercial, industrial, agricultural and multifamily property finance energy and other improvements through a special assessment lien on the property, with existing mortgage holders' consent required.
Jan 20, 2026 · Failed 17–27 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Santee Cooper Joint Project Authorization
Authorizes the Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper) to co-own, with Dominion Energy South Carolina, natural gas-fired generation and transmission facilities at or near the former Canadys coal plant in Colleton County, owning a share equal to its investment.
Apr 3, 2025 · Passed 25–18 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Mar 31, 2026 · Passed 38–5 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Abandoned Buildings Tax Credit
Feb 25, 2026 · Passed 33–10 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted May 13, 2026: Requires eviction filings and records to be removed from public court indexes and publicly accessible files seven years after the case's final disposition or filing if no later filing is recorded, starting January 1, 2027.
Apr 30, 2026 · Passed 38–4 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Domestic violence in rental properties
May 12, 2026 · Passed 42–4 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment
May 12, 2026 · Passed 35–8 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
May 1, 2025 · Passed 38–1 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media
May 14, 2026 · Passed 42–1 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Creates a 15-member South Carolina-Bahamas Trade Commission, appointed by the Speaker, the Senate President and the Governor, to advance trade and investment between South Carolina and The Bahamas.
May 12, 2026 · Passed 43–3 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 6 of 79 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (4), Health & care (3), Education & families (1)
South Carolina High School Athletic Association
What it does: Beginning June 30, 2027, bars public schools from joining or funding a high school athletic association unless its rules require a board with legislative appointees, Legislative Audit Council audits, legislative budge…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 1–10, Republicans 23–7
May 7, 2026Official record ↗
Hemp-derived ingestible
What it does: On the version voted Mar 19, 2026: Sets up licensing and regulation of hemp-derived beverages and chewables under the Department of Revenue, with a 10 milligram per serving THC cap, a minimum sales age of 21, and exci…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–11, Republicans 16–14
Apr 29, 2026Official record ↗
Budget
What it does: On the version voted Aug 11, 2026: Appropriates money and provides revenues for the ordinary expenses of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, regulates how those funds are spent, and sets other…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 12–0, Republicans 12–18
Apr 23, 2026Official record ↗
Utility terrain vehicle
What it does: On the version voted May 13, 2026: Lets utility terrain vehicles be registered and driven on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or less by licensed drivers 17 and older, with a $10 fee every two years and insurance and…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 10–0, Republicans 12–14
Apr 16, 2026Official record ↗
Hemp-derived ingestible
What it does: On the version voted Mar 19, 2026: Sets up licensing and regulation of hemp-derived beverages and chewables under the Department of Revenue, with a 10 milligram per serving THC cap, a minimum sales age of 21, and exci…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–9, Republicans 18–13
Mar 11, 2026Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
With most of their party · Passed 21–20 · Yes 21–No 20 · Democrats 12–0, Republicans 9–20
Apr 21, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 22–18 · Yes 22–No 18 · Democrats 0–11, Republicans 22–7
Mar 18, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 19–27 · Yes 19–No 27 · Democrats 12–0, Republicans 7–27
Feb 4, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 29–17 · Yes 29–No 17 · Democrats 0–12, Republicans 29–5
May 12, 2026Official record ↗
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act
With most of their party · Failed 22–22 · Yes 22–No 22 · Democrats 1–11, Republicans 21–11
May 14, 2026Official record ↗
Redistricting, Congressional Districts
With most of their party · Failed 26–15 · Yes 26–No 15 · Democrats 0–10, Republicans 26–5
May 22, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 29–14 · Yes 29–No 14 · Democrats 0–11, Republicans 29–3
May 7, 2025Official record ↗
Education Scholarship Trust Fund
With most of their party · Passed 29–13 · Yes 29–No 13 · Democrats 0–11, Republicans 29–2
Apr 16, 2025Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: to adopt the conference report
Appropriates money and provides revenues for the ordinary expenses of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, regulates how those funds are spent, and sets other provisions for operating state government that year.
Motion: to adopt the conference report
On the version voted Mar 19, 2026: Sets up licensing and regulation of hemp-derived beverages and chewables under the Department of Revenue, with a 10 milligram per serving THC cap, a minimum sales age of 21, and excise taxes.
Motion: to adopt the conference report
Motion: to grant free conference powers
Motion: to adopt the conference report
Motion: to override the veto
Motion: to grant free conference powers
Makes DUI causing moderate injury a felony punishable by 90 days to 10 years in prison, creates reckless-driving offenses for causing injury, lengthens license suspensions for refusing alcohol tests, expands ignition interlock rules, and has circuit solicitors prosecute first and second DUI offenses.
Motion: to grant free conference powers
Motion: 2nd Reading
Motion: to override the veto
On the version voted Mar 5, 2025: Sets rules for commissioners who represent South Carolina at an Article V convention: the General Assembly names them in joint session, they must meet residency and other qualifications and take an oath, follow written instructions, and may be recalled.
Showing 10 of 400 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.