Penry Gustafson

Penry Gustafson
Member of the South Carolina Senate
from the 27th district
In office
January 2021 – November 2024
Preceded byVincent Sheheen
Succeeded byAllen Blackmon
Personal details
Born (1970-05-20) May 20, 1970 (age 54)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Todd Gustafson
​
(m. 2007)​
Children3
EducationNewberry College (BA)
University of South Carolina
ProfessionPolitician

Penry Gustafson (born May 20, 1970) is a former member of the South Carolina Senate. She represented District 27 (Chesterfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster Counties) from 2021 to 2024.

Political career

S.C. Senate

Gustafson served on the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources, Corrections and Penology, Family and Veterans' Services, and Judiciary Committees.[1]

Tenure

In early May 2023, Gustafson joined with a Democrat, an Independent and two other Republican women state senators, calling themselves, "The Sister Senators": Sen. Mia McLeod, Sen. Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington), Sen. Penry Gustafson (R-Kershaw), Sen. Margie Bright-Matthews (D-Colleton), and Sen. Sandy Senn (R-Charleston). They blocked a state senate bill that would ban all abortions in South Carolina.[2][3] On May 23, 2023, Senate Republicans passed another bill that forbade abortion after six weeks.[4]

In September 2023 it was announced that "The Sister Senators" had been selected to receive the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award. The award was presented in an October 2023 ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.[5]

Endorsements

In June 2023, Gustafson endorsed Tim Scott in the 2024 United States presidential election.[6]

Elections

2020 election

Further information: 2020 South Carolina Senate election § District 27

In 2020, though taking only one of three counties, Gustafson defeated popular Senate incumbent and two-time gubernatorial candidate, Democrat Vincent Sheheen. She won with just 51% of the vote.[7]

2024 election

Further information: 2024 South Carolina Senate election § District 27

In 2024, Gustafson faced Republican primary challenger Allen Blackmon, a Lancaster County councilman. The primary challenge was prompted, in part, by Gustafson's opposition to the state's abortion ban.[8][9] Blackmon won the Republican nomination,[10] and went on to defeat Democratic challenger Yokima Cureton in the November general election.[11] [12]

Gustafson's defeat occurred alongside the defeats of Republican Senators Katrina Shealy and Sandy Senn, who also opposed to the abortion ban.[13]

References

  1. ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  2. ^ Republican women are helping block an abortion ban in South Carolina, WBTW, May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  3. ^ The Unexpected Women Blocking South Carolina's Near-Total Abortion Ban, New York Times, Kate Zernike, May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  4. ^ South Carolina Senate passes abortion ban, setting up Supreme Court showdown, The Hill, Nathaniel Weixel, May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  5. ^ LeBlanc, Steve (September 19, 2023). "'Sister senators' who fought abortion ban to receive JFK Profile in Courage award". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Sen. Tim Scott in Spartanburg to announce campaign endorsements". FOX Carolina. June 12, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Longtime Sen. Vincent Sheheen loses seat to Penrey Gustafson, WLTX, November 4, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Kenmore, Abraham; Adcox, Seanna (2024-04-02). "SC's GOP 'sister senators' among legislators facing primary opposition • SC Daily Gazette". SC Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  9. ^ Bustos, Joseph (April 3, 2024). "With filing done, the 8 most interesting SC races and storylines to watch in 2024". The State. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Merchant, Bristow (June 12, 2024). "South Carolina primary results: Victories declared, runoffs set as Midlands votes counted". The State Newspaper. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  11. ^ Hensley, Matthew (2024-04-08). "See who's running for office in Lancaster County in the 2024 election". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  12. ^ Cahn, Martin L. (2024-11-05). "Blackmon wins S.C. Senate District 27; District 35 race still waiting on vote totals". The Lancaster News. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  13. ^ Collins, Jeffrey (July 1, 2024). "Voters kick all the Republican women out of the South Carolina Senate". Associated Press. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
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South Carolina Senate
Preceded by Member of the South Carolina Senate
from the 27th district
2021–present 		Incumbent