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Brent Nelsen weighs in on SC Democratic State House surge

Brent Nelsen, Department of Politics and International Affairs

Last updated November 6, 2026
Published November 6, 2026


Tina T. Underwood

Furman University’s Brent Nelsen spoke to WIS 10 following Tuesday’s election results. Nelsen, the Jane Fishburne Hipp Professor of Politics and International Affairs, said Republicans’ loss of the two-thirds supermajority might be more surprising than Democrat Annie Andrews’ U.S. Senate win over Republican Darline Graham. While Republicans will still retain control the SC House and Senate, Democrats picked up 10 seats in the House in a legislative performance not seen in modern history. Growing voter discontent with lawmakers is to blame, according to Nelsen. “They don’t feel like bread-and-butter issues that are important to households have been focused on,” he said. The story also aired on Savannah’s WTOC.

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