COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina’s newest state senator is a familiar figure at the Statehouse.
Republican Dwight Loftis was sworn in Tuesday, a week after winning a special election in a Greenville district. The seat was left vacant after William Timmons won a U.S. House seat in November.
Loftis won 56 percent of the vote over Democrat Tina Belge.
The 76-year-old Loftis has been a member of the South Carolina House since 1996 before running to move to the upper chamber.
Loftis’ election now has the South Carolina Senate with 27 Republicans and 19 Democrats.
A special election will be held to fill Loftis’ House seat.
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