Jeff Zell flips S.C. Senate 36 seat, ousting 12-year Sen. Kevin Johnson

Republican Jeff Zell has ousted longtime S.C. Sen. Kevin Johnson for the District 36 seat, which represents parts of Clarendon, Sumter, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties.

It was a close race. Zell, who is currently the Area 8 trustee on Sumter County’s school board, secured 50.6% of the vote, or 25,597 votes, over Johnson’s 49.28%, or 24,933 votes. There were 61 write-ins.

Sumter County voters almost split even on their support for the candidates, with 50% voting for Zell, or 12,502 votes, and 49.9% voting for Johnson, or 12,476. The difference of 26 were in write-in votes.

In Clarendon County, voters chose Zell by 55.32%, or 8,787 votes, while 44.56% voted for Johnson, or 7,078 votes. There were 20 write-ins for the race across the county.

Zell said he is happy with the campaign he and his team ran that "maintained a positive approach and never resorted to negativity."

"I want to thank my family and friends for all their support and encouragement, as well as my supporters, both open and silent. I also want to express my gratitude to Sen. Johnson for his long service to the community. I promise to build on his successes for all our citizens," Zell told The Item Wednesday. "My goal is to represent our district fairly and honorably. I work for God and the people of the 36th District, not for lobbyists or special interests. I will always remember that. Thank you to all the citizens who voted for me. For those who didn’t, I will spend the next years proving to you that I am serious about positively affecting our community. We will address the persistent problems in this area and work with anyone of good faith to find meaningful and lasting solutions, from education reform to reducing violent crime and creating economic pathways to success. Without question, the status quo is no longer acceptable, and I will pursue real change with vigor! I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help our neighbors to the fullest extent of my capabilities. That is my promise."

Johnson said he and his team felt like he had a “good shot, but we’ll move on.”

“We ran a good race, but the voters have spoken, and we respect that. I don’t have a problem with that,” Johnson said.

He said though he wasn’t planning for this, he has been a public official almost “all my adult life, so maybe it’s time for me to get some rest.” He said he has enjoyed serving in various positions amid its ups and downs.

He posted on Facebook on Tuesday night, “Well, after serving on several boards and commissions, 12 years on the school board, six years on city council, 11 years as mayor, one term in the S.C. House and 12 years in the Senate, we came up short in the election today. The voters have spoken, and I respect that. I am thankful for all of the support that I had over the last almost 40 years, and I am proud of the work that I/we did. I am even more thankful to have had the opportunity to work with some great people, especially ‘Team Johnson’. Now it’s time to catch up on some rest and enjoy some me time.”

The Item will provide coverage of how Zell’s school board seat will be filled.