SC Supreme Court election canceled after sitting justice drops out of race

COLUMBIA — Incumbent South Carolina Supreme Court Justice John Few announced on social media Tuesday that he’s dropping his bid for re-election, prompting the race’s cancelation and the application process starting over.

Few, in August, became the first sitting justice in more than 20 years to face a challenge for keeping his seat on the state’s highest court. Making the race even rarer, his challengers included the former leader of the state House.

Few’s withdrawal comes a day before the Legislature was scheduled to hold a joint assembly to choose between him, former House Speaker Jay Lucas; chief judge of the Administrative Law Court, Ralph King “Tripp” Anderson; and state Court of Appeals Judge Blake Hewitt.

“It has become clear to me over recent weeks that I do not — and will not — have the votes to be reelected to the Supreme Court of South Carolina,” Few wrote in a statement. “I accept this reality with only the most positive thoughts and feelings about what the future holds. I take pride in everything I have done over my 26 years of judicial service; no regrets.”




https://scdailygazette.com/2026/03/03/sc-supreme-court-election-cancelled-after-sitting-justice-drops-out-of-race/