Ivory Torrey Thigpen

Ivory Torrey Thigpen
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 79th district
In office November 14, 2016 – December 4, 2024
Preceded by	Mia McLeod
Succeeded by	Hamilton R. Grant
Personal details
Born	(1978-05-11) May 11, 1978 (age 46) Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Jackson State University (B.S.) Palmer College of Chiropractic (D.C.) Morehouse School of Religion (M.Div.)
Profession	pastor, physician

Ivory Torrey Thigpen Jr. is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic party.[1]

Early life and career

Thigpen was born and educated in Mississippi, a graduate of Jackson State University. He is Pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Columbia. Thigpen and his wife are co-owners of a chiropractic office.[2]

Political career

South Carolina House of Representatives

Thigpen was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 79th District, serving from 2016 to 2024.[3] He served on the House Judiciary and Rules committee.[4]

In 2023, Thigpen chaired the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.[5]

Thigpen attended the 2024 Democratic National Convention as a Party and Elected Leader delegate.[6]

2024 State Senate race

In January 2024, Thigpen announced his candidacy for State Senate District 22, the seat currently held by incumbent Mia McLeod.[7][8][9] Educator Dr. Monica Elkins also announced a run in the Democratic Primary.[10]

In February 2024, businessman Hamilton R. Grant announced plans to run for House District 79, the seat currently held by Thigpen.[11] Grant and community advocate Jonneika Farr faced each other in the Democratic Primary. Grant defeated Farr to become the Democratic nominee, and defeated Republican Rebecca Madsen in the General Election.[12] [13] [14]

On April 1, 2024, McLeod announced that she would not seek re-election. Richland County Council member Overture Walker joined Thigpen and Elkins as candidates for the Democratic Primary nomination. Lee Blatt filed to run as a Republican candidate for the seat.[15] [16]

On June 11, Thigpen and Walker were the top vote getters in the Democratic Primary, and faced each other in a runoff. Lee Blatt withdrew, and Gary Votour with the South Carolina Workers Party will face the winner of the Democratic Primary in the general election.[17]

On June 25, Thigpen was defeated by Walker in the Primary runoff.[18]

Electoral history

District 79

Year		Candidate	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Votes	Pct		Candidate	Votes	Pct
2016 Democratic Primary[19]		Ivory Torrey Thigpen	2,105	46.74%		Monica Elkins	2,074	46.05%		Vannie Williams, Jr.	325	7.22%
2016 Democratic Primary Runoff[20]		Ivory Torrey Thigpen	1,275	63.88%		Monica Elkins	721	36.12%
2016 General Election[21]		Ivory Torrey Thigpen	13,366	73.03%		Donald Miles	4,581	25.03%		Victor Kocher	354	1.93%
2018 Democratic Primary		Ivory Torrey Thigpen (i)	Winner
2018 General Election[22]		Ivory Torrey Thigpen (i)	13,307	87.8%		Victor Kocher	1,782	11.8%		Others/Write-in	63	0.4%

External links

• Thigpen on Judicial Reform on WRDW-TV
• Thigpen For Senate 2024

References

1. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
2. "Meet the Pastor". rehoboth-baptist. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
3. "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
4. "Representative Ivory Torrey Thigpen". South Carolina Legislature. 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
5. "Leadership". South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
6. "Democratic National Convention is next up; here's who's going from South Carolina". www.aol.com. 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
7. Davis, Kimberlei (January 22, 2024). "Representative Thigpen launches bid for SC Senate District 22 seat". WACH-TV. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
8. Reynolds, Nick (January 22, 2024). "SC Statehouse's only Democrat-turned-independent senator draws another challenger". The Post and Courier. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
9. Bustos, Joseph (January 23, 2024). "SC's McLeod ditched the Democratic party. Now, this Democrat is gunning for her Senate seat". The State Newspaper. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
10. Mcconchie, Brian (November 15, 2023). "Longtime educator to run for State Senate seat". WACH-TV. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
11. Parrilla-Guerrero, Mayra (February 14, 2024). "Hamilton Grant announces run for SC House District 79". WIS-TV. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
12. "Jonnieka Farr". Ballotpedia. 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
13. Johnson, Dejon (2024-06-11). "South Carolina primary results: Who's advancing to the November election?". WACH. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
14. Guerrero, Mayra Parrilla (2024-11-06). "Hamilton Grant wins bid for SC House District 79". WISTV. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
15. "Longtime Richland politician announces she will not seek reelection". WLTX-TV. April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
16. Bustos, Joseph (April 1, 2024). "SC Sen. McLeod left Democratic Party in 2023. Now she'll stay off 2024 ballot". The State Newspaper. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
17. Ball, Barbara (June 12, 2024). "Thigpen, Walker in runoff for SC Senate Dist. 22 seat". The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
18. and Sydney Dunlap, David Ferrara (June 25, 2024). "Columbia-area GOP, Democratic runoff results: Shealy loses, Walker defeats Thigpen". The Post and Courier. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
19. "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - Dem Primary". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
20. "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - Dem Primary Runoff". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
21. "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - General Election". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
22. "SC - Election Results - SC House Dist 79 - General Election". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved June 2, 2020.