Nikki G. Setzler Explained
| Nikki Setzler |
| Office: | Minority Leader of the South Carolina Senate |
| Term Start: | November 12, 2012 |
| Term End: | November 17, 2020 |
| Predecessor: | John C. Land III |
| Successor: | Brad Hutto |
| State Senate1: | South Carolina |
| District1: | 26th |
| Term Start1: | January 8, 1985 |
| Predecessor1: | Constituency established |
| State Senate2: | South Carolina |
| District2: | 8th |
| Term Start2: | January 11, 1977 |
| Term End2: | January 8, 1985 |
| Predecessor2: | Albert Dooley
Michael Laughlin
Jimmy Martin |
| Successor2: | David Lloyd Thomas |
| Birth Date: | 7 August 1945 |
| Birth Place: | Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Children: | 4 |
| Education: | University of South Carolina (BA, JD) |
| Profession: | Attorney, politician |
Nikki G. Setzler (born August 7, 1945) is an American politician who is a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 26th District since 1976. In November 2020, Setzler announced that he would step down as Minority Leader.[1] [2] [3]
After the resignation of North Dakota's Ray Holmberg on June 1, 2022, Setzler became the country's longest serving incumbent state senator.[4] [5] For much of his tenure, Setzler has been the only elected Democrat representing a portion of Lexington County above the county level.
Political career
S.C. Senate
Elections
2016 election
Nikki Setzler defeated Republican challenger Brad Lindsey in 2016, receiving about 58% of the vote.[6] [7]
2020 election
In 2020, Setzler defeated Republican challenger Chris Smith, winning roughly 54% of the vote.[8]
2024 election
On January 10, 2024, Setzler announced his retirement from public office and will not stand for re-election in the 2024 South Carolina Senate election.[9] In the race to succeed Setzler, State Representative Russell Ott defeated State Senator Dick Harpootlian for the Democratic nomination while Jason Guerry defeated Chris Smith for the Republican nomination. Ott and Guerry will face each other in the general election.[10] [11]
External links
|-|-
Notes and References
- Web site: SC Senate minority leader stepping down from role after Democrats lost seats in 2020. Jamie. Lovegrove. Post and Courier.
- Web site: Sen. Nikki Setzler stepping down as minority leader. Nov 10, 2020. Lexington County Chronicle.
- News: Schechter. Maayan. November 10, 2020. SC Senate's top Democrat Nikki Setzler stepping down from leadership role. The State. November 10, 2020.
- News: Kurtz. Adam. 44 years in, Sen. Ray Holmberg is tied for longest serving state senator in the nation. January 8, 2021. Grand Forks Herald. limited. December 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211231193032/https://www.grandforksherald.com/news/44-years-in-sen-ray-holmberg-is-tied-for-longest-serving-state-senator-in-the-nation.
- News: Jarrett. Kim. Successor named for N.D. senator resigning amid questions about texts with accused child pornographer. June 1, 2022. June 21, 2022. News Radio 1310. Leighton Broadcasting. June 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220601135357/https://knoxradio.com/2022/06/01/republicans-select-sickler-in-district-17/.
- Web site: ccleveland@aikenstandard.com . Christina Cleveland . 2016-11-04 . Nikki Setzler, Brad Lindsey running for S.C. Senate District 26 . 2024-04-23 . Post and Courier . en.
- News: 2017-08-01 . South Carolina 26th District State Senate Results: Nikki Setzler Wins . 2024-04-23 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
- Web site: South Carolina State Senate - District 26 Election Results USA TODAY . 2024-04-23 . www.usatoday.com . en.
- News: Collins . Jeffrey . January 10, 2024 . Longest currently serving state senator in US plans to retire in South Carolina . February 15, 2024 . Associated Press.
- News: Holdman. Jessica. Kenmore. Abraham. Harpootlian loses Senate seat, ‘sister senators’ lose ground and Freedom Caucus expands. June 12, 2024. South Carolina Daily Gazette. States Newsroom. August 16, 2024.
- News: Kenmore. Abraham. SC Senate could have no GOP women after only chairwoman ousted in runoff. June 25, 2024. South Carolina Daily Gazette. States Newsroom. August 16, 2024.
