Deon Tedder

Deon T. Tedder is an American attorney and politician. He is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 109th District, serving since 2020, and the Democratic nominee for South Carolina Senate District 42. Tedder is a member of the Democratic party.[1] He serves on the Education and Public Works Committee and the Operations and Management Committee [2] and is Treasurer of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.[3]

Tedder has had a bill passed supporting HBCUs,[4] and supported clean energy and electric vehicle technology.[5] He opposed a bail reform bill, which he said would create 'a violation of due process'.[6]

Tedder joined House members Todd Rutherford and Roger Kirby in forming the Freedom Caucus of South Carolina, in contrast to the conservative SC Freedom Caucus.[7]

On March 12, 2023, Tedder announced his intention to run for the South Carolina Senate District 42 seat, vacated by Marlon Kimpson after his appointment to a role in the Biden Administration.[8] The seat would be decided in a special election in 2023.[9] Endorsements that Tedder received in his race for the Senate seat included Conservation Voters of South Carolina[10] and former South Carolina District 42 Senator Marlon Kimpson.[11]

The Democratic Primary took place on September 5. [12] Other candidates in the race were Democrats SC Rep. JA Moore and SC Rep. Wendell Gilliard. In the Democratic Primary, Moore was bested by Gilliard and Tedder, who faced each other in a runoff.[13] [14] On September 19, Tedder, who had been endorsed by SC Congressman Jim Clyburn,[15] led the runoff by 11 votes, triggering a recount.[16] The recount was conducted and results certified by the Charleston County Board of Canvassers and the Dorchester County Voter Registration and Elections Office on September 21; later that day Tedder was declared the winner by the South Carolina State Election Commission. As Democratic nominee, Tedder will face Republican Rosa Kay in a special election held on November 7, 2023. [17]