Democrat Ed Sutton elected to Charleston’s newest Senate seat. Here are his plans

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- Democrat Ed Sutton is eager to get to work as one of Charleston’s newest state senators.

Sutton easily defeated Libertarian Kendal Ludden in the newly drawn District 20 during the Nov. 5 election, garnering 73% of the vote to Ludden’s 26%. There were 209 write-in votes.

“I’m excited, very enthusiastic to represent this area,” Sutton said. ” I was very deliberate. I wanted to run a campaign based on improving quality of life…and of course, given the results of the election, I think that really reflected with people.”

The 2025 legislative session does not officially start until January 14, but preparation is already underway for Sutton who will spend the next two months meeting with colleagues in Columbia and pre-filing legislation.

The first piece of legislation he wants to pursue? His version of the Compassionate Care Act, a bill that would legalize the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina.

“I’m a military veteran and one of the problems currently with my generation is we’re being overprescribed opoids for things like PTSD or pain, and I think there’s much better options available,” Sutton said.

The proposal, long championed by Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), has failed repeatedly over the past decade despite widespread public support, but Sutton hopes he can help push it across the finish line this time.

“Sometimes in Columbia, it does take a couple of times going after it,” he said. “I think with some of the new, incoming folks, it sounds like the voters may be a little more favorable there so hopefully this is the year. If not, I look forward to joining that team and being part of the process of making sure that we finally get this passed for the veterans in our state.”

Sutton also campaigned on a promise to strengthen and modernize infrastructure within the district to keep up with rapid population growth, which he said leaders have failed to do thus far.

He also said he would work to secure funding for climate resiliency projects, especially the city’s plan to construct a sea wall around the peninsula to protect against rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

“Downtown Charleston is the economic engine of this region,” he said. “It’s where our jobs are, it’s where a lot of our tax revenue is generated so we gotta make sure downtown stays dry for the next generation.”

Maintaining and improving public education is another top priority for Sutton, who pointed specifically to his opposition to the state’s K-12 voucher program signed into law last year.

The South Carolina Supreme Court struck down part of the law in September, deeming it violated the state’s constitutional prohibition against using government funds to benefit private educational institutions.

But, Republicans are expected to move quickly this session on a similar law to reinstate the program.

“That’s probably going to be one of the more contentious fights that we can expect coming up here this next year,” Sutton said.

Sutton is one of 13 new faces joining the state senate following an election that saw Republicans flip four seats to clinch a supermajority in the upper chamber.

He acknowledged that the shift could present challenges but would not dissuade him from working for his constituents, stressing the importance of reaching across the aisle.

“Forming coalitions, and again working on ideas and deemphasizing that tribal aspect of politics, I think, is going to be key to getting things done,” he said.

District 20 was moved from Richland to Charleston following the 2020 census to account for faster population growth and now encompasses parts of West Ashley, James Island, and the peninsula.

Charleston differs from neighboring counties in that it is more politically-mixed, or purple. Kamala Harris won the county on November 5 and former Gov. Nikki Haley outperformed Donald Trump there during the February 24 GOP presidential primary.

“I think that’s a reflection that Charleston County is not a hyperpartisan county,” Sutton said. “People from any party can win here and I think that’s a good thing.”

“I’m excited to represent a county that is more focused on ideas and less so on partisanship,” he added.