Who's running in South Carolina's 5th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Low confidenceLow confidenceOnly one weak source, dated material, or indirect evidence. Treat specifics with caution.What would raise it: An official filing record and at least one independent report about this candidate would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Cutting federal spending, reducing deficits and paying down the debt.
Sealing the border and supporting President Trump's America First agenda, including tariffs aimed at US manufacturing.
Giving parents control over their children's education.
Overhauling the Department of Justice.
Better federal, state and local coordination to manage rapid growth in York County.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
South Carolina state senator for District 15 since 2016; submitted an irrevocable resignation effective November 3, 2026.
Congressional aide to Rep. Patrick McHenry, Sen. Elizabeth Dole and then-Rep. Bill Cassidy, 2006–2011; chairman of the York County GOP from 2013.
Lead sponsor of legislation phasing out South Carolina's certificate-of-need healthcare regulations; critic of legislative earmarks.
Sued legislative leadership over a 2025 pay raise lawmakers voted themselves.
Opposed a statewide hate crime law and opposed limits on predatory lending, according to The Post and Courier.
Endorsed Nikki Haley over Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential primary; endorsed by President Trump in 2026.
Unopposed in the June 9, 2026 Republican primary.
Sued the state in 2025, with attorney Dick Harpootlian, over a legislative in-district pay increase; the state Supreme Court's order halted the increase and the existing payments while the case proceeded.
Opposed a statewide hate crime law, voted against enhanced penalties for illegal gun possession during the 2024 permitless-carry debate, opposed limits on predatory lending, and was the lone committee vote against Myra Reece as Environmental Services director, per the Post and Courier.
Endorsed Nikki Haley over Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential primary; says he is 'a strong supporter of the president' and the America First agenda.
Arguments in favor
Given his legislative and leadership experience, his bid for Congress is 'kind of a no-brainer.'
— Alex Stroman, Republican strategist and former S.C. GOP executive director, to The Herald
He knows 'how to accomplish conservative objectives, not just talking about it... but moving it from an idea into a law. I think we need more of that in Washington, people who not only can make the argument, but people who can close the deal.'
— Wes Climer, campaign launch interview with The Herald
Arguments against
His lawsuit over the legislative expense increase froze even existing in-district pay for months, leaving lawmakers paying constituent-service costs themselves: 'Whether you're a Republican or Democrat — as lawmakers we should not be coming out of pocket for expenses to take care of our constituents.'
— State Rep. Hamilton Grant, D-Columbia, to the Associated Press
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Climer by his Democratic opponent, a party committee or a news outlet could be found after searching, so neither column is filled; his own case is reflected in his positions and record above.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Addressing the cost of living and ending 'chaos, corruption and gridlock in Washington'.
Putting 'people over party' and finding common-sense solutions.
Independent redistricting and an end to partisan gerrymandering.
Protecting access to contraception: 'My IUD is not controversial, it's health care.'
Supporting public education.
Raising the minimum wage, lowering child care and housing costs, and reversing cuts to health care programmes.
Term limits, ending partisan gerrymandering and limiting the role of billionaires and big business in government.
Criticises the Iran war's launch without congressional authorisation and broad tariffs she says raised inflation.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former corporate fashion executive; small business owner.
Co-founder of Community Advocates for Public Education York County.
Opposed South Carolina's proposed 2026 mid-decade congressional redistricting.
Won the June 9, 2026 Democratic primary with 56% over Andrew Clough.
Has not held elected office.
Beat Andrew Clough with about 55% in the June 9 Democratic primary.
Former Democratic candidate Alex Harper, who withdrew before her launch, praised her as 'the person that can flip this back'.
Says she helped manage 2024 local campaigns for moderate candidates that won seven of nine races.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Dittmer could be found, so no arguments are listed for her (her campaign's case is in her positions). Searched: 'Dittmer SCGOP / York County Republican / Climer campaign', 'Andrew Clough Mallory Dittmer primary differences' (her primary opponent), and Post and Courier, The Herald, WSOC, WRHI and Sumter Item coverage.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is an open seat: Republican Rep. Ralph Norman ran for governor instead of reelection and placed third in the June 9 primary. South Carolina held its primaries on June 9, 2026 and runoffs on June 23; November 3 is the general election, and there is no general-election runoff. The congressional map is unchanged for 2026: the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld it in September 2025, and a Trump-backed redraw passed by the state House after Louisiana v. Callais failed in the state Senate on May 26, 2026. Two candidates are certified as active on the State Election Commission's candidate tracking list: Republican state Sen. Wes Climer, unopposed in his primary, and Democrat Mallory Dittmer, who beat Andrew Clough with 56%. Forward Party candidate Andy Kaplan was reported in June as a general-election candidate but is not listed as active by the Election Commission, and Ballotpedia lists him as not having made the ballot. The district is anchored by the Charlotte suburbs in York and Lancaster counties and extends to parts of Spartanburg and Sumter counties; it has been held by Republicans since 2011. Climer has submitted an irrevocable resignation from the state Senate effective November 3.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A South Carolina ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at South Carolina Election Commission.