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Penry Gustafson (born May 20, 1970) is a member of the South Carolina Senate. Since 2021, she has represented District 27 (Chesterfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster Counties).
Penry Gustafson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 27th district | |
| Assumed office January 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Sheheen |
| Succeeded by | Allen Blackmon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 20, 1970 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Todd Gustafson (m. 2007) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Newberry College (BA) University of South Carolina |
| Profession | Politician |
S.C. Senate
Gustafson served on the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources, Corrections and Penology, Family and Veterans' Services, and Judiciary Committees.[1]
Tenure
In early May 2023, Gustafson joined with a Democrat, an Independent and two other Republican women state senators, calling themselves, "The Sister Senators": Sen. Mia McLeod, Sen. Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington), Sen. Penry Gustafson (R-Kershaw), Sen. Margie Bright-Matthews (D-Colleton), and Sen. Sandy Senn (R-Charleston). They blocked a state senate bill that would ban all abortions in South Carolina.[2][3] On May 23, 2023, Senate Republicans passed another bill that forbade abortion after six weeks.[4]
In September 2023 it was announced that "The Sister Senators" had been selected to receive the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award. The award was presented in an October 2023 ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.[5]
Endorsements
In June 2023, Gustafson endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election.[6]
Elections
2020 election
In 2020, though taking only one of three counties, Gustafson defeated popular Senate incumbent and two-time gubernatorial candidate, Democrat Vincent Sheheen. She won with just 51% of the vote.[7]
2024 election
In 2024, Gustafson faced Republican primary challenger Allen Blackmon, a Lancaster County councilman. The primary challenge was prompted, in part, by Gustafson's opposition to the state's abortion ban.[8][9] Blackmon won the Republican nomination,[10] and will go on to face Democratic challenger Yokima Cureton in the November general election.[11] Gustafson's defeat occurred alongside the defeats of Katrina Shealy and Sandy Senn, who also opposed to the abortion ban.[12]
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