Three Republican state senators who filibustered SC’s abortion ban lost their primaries

Three Republican state senators in South Carolina who filibustered the state’s abortion ban lost in this month’s primary elections.

Katrina Shealy, Sandy Senn and Penry Gustafson lost to three male candidates and were part of a bipartisan group of five female state senators who filibustered a near-total abortion ban. They were nicknamed “sister senators”.

As a result of their coordinated effort, the group was chosen last year to receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

“During the filibuster, each of the five legislators took turns describing the complexities of pregnancy and the reproductive system, the dangers of lack of access to contraception, and inadequate privacy laws,” the document said. announcement about them receiving the award. “Immediately after their filibuster, the sister senators were questioned and harassed by anti-abortion activists. The three Republicans also encountered strong opposition from within their own party – including censures and promises of primary challenges in 2024.”

Shealy conceded Tuesday night to Carlisle Kennedy, the Post and Courier reportedafter obtaining 37.5% of the votes, according to a unofficial count of second primary round results published by South Carolina on Tuesday night. Shealy represents a county in the middle of the state that includes the capital, Columbia.

Kennedy’s campaign website said he is “proudly pro-life” and said he “will work to protect the unborn and advocate for policies that support mothers and families.”

The results come after Gustafson and Senn were defeated during the primaries earlier this month.

Gustafson, who represents three counties in the northern part of the state, lost by a wide margin to Allen Blackmon during the June 11 primary after Blackmon won 82% of the vote. Blackmon also ran on an anti-abortion platform, saying on his campaign website that those “born and pre-born” are “worthy of protection.”

Senn, who represented the southeastern part of the state, including the Charleston area, was defeated by Matt Leber, narrowly losing the race by just over 30 votes. Leber has served in the South Carolina House since 2022 and voted in favor state bill, signed into lawwhich prohibits abortion after a “fetal heartbeat is detected.”