Tom Fernandez
Tom Fernandez | |
|---|---|
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 39th district | |
| Assumed office 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Vernon Stephens |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Attorney |
Tom Fernandez is an American politician. He has been a member of the South Carolina Senate from the 39th District since 2024. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Background
Fernandez spent his youth on a farm in Michigan. He earned a BA in political science from Coastal Carolina University, a JD from Charleston School of Law, and an MBA from The Citadel.[1]
Political career
2018 State House race
Fernandez challenged Republican incumbent Sylleste Davis in 2018 for a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives, losing in the Republican primary.[2][3]
2024 State Senate race
On March 28, 2024, Fernandez filed to run for State Senate seat 39.[4] He defeated Democratic incumbent Vernon Stephens to flip the Senate seat.[5][6][7][8]
Member of the State Senate
Fernandez serves on the Senate Corrections and Penology, Education, Family and Veterans' Services, Judiciary and Medical Affairs committees.[9]
In 2025, Fernandez voted against confirming Dr. Edward Simmer to lead the South Carolina Department of Public Health because Simmer had strongly recommended that people take COVID vaccines during the COVID pandemic and because he wore a face mask to protect his immunocompromised wife.[10]
During the nationwide No Kings protests on June 14, 2025, Fernandez drove past a crowd of his constituents in Summerville who were protesting, while blaring the horn on his truck and making obscene gestures. Fernandez claimed that his behavior was in response to "heckling" from protesters. [11]
References
- ^ "Tom Fernandez launches SC Senate campaign". WCBD News 2. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Erickson, Joseph (2023-05-24). "Berkeley County lawyer launches campaign for South Carolina Senate seat". WCIV. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "South Carolina Senate Candidate Files For Office Wearing Gas Mask - FITSNews". 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Connaughton, Kevin (2024-11-05). "Republican challenger unseats Democrat in SC Senate 39 race". WISTV. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "Fernandez, Holman flip seats to advance to SC Statehouse". WCBD News 2. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ Writer, GENE ZALESKI T&D Staff (2024-11-06). "UPDATED - Fernandez defeats Senator Stephens - Govan, Bamberg win House races; Hutto, Ott win in Senate". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Committee". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- ^ "Nominee for South Carolina's top doctor toppled by lingering COVID anger". AP News. 2025-04-03.
- ^ "State Senator spotted blowing horn, making obscene gestures at constituents protesting". ABC4 News. 2025-06-14.
External links
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