A special election is scheduled for early 2025 in South Carolina, highlighting ongoing issues with the state’s election system and the actions of former state representative Marvin Pendarvis.
Pendarvis has recently faced serious accusations, including a civil lawsuit filed in April. The lawsuit claims that he settled a case without his client’s knowledge, forged the client’s signature, and attempted to bribe the client after being caught. This situation has prompted a criminal investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Additionally, Pendarvis is reportedly connected to a federal investigation concerning a gun grant scandal involving local officials and nonprofits in his hometown.
In light of these controversies, Pendarvis resigned from the General Assembly on September 16, 2024. However, he appears to have not informed the South Carolina Election Commission of his step down from the Democratic nomination for House District 113, leaving his name on the ballot.
Interestingly, despite these scandals, Pendarvis garnered a staggering 97.3 percent of the votes in this election, winning a position he had previously abandoned just seven weeks prior.
On November 6, 2024, election officials received a letter from Pendarvis, dated September 26, 2024, where he formally stated he wished to withdraw his candidacy for House District 113. Strangely, this letter came from a representative’s office Pendarvis had already resigned from.
Given the circumstances, election officials confirmed that Pendarvis’s seat is now vacant, necessitating a special election to fill it. The filing period for this position will start on November 22, 2024, and will close on November 30. A special primary election is set for January 21, 2025, with a runoff election planned for February 4, if required. The actual special election will take place on March 25, 2025.
As this story develops, it will be important to watch for any updates related to both the special election and the ongoing legal issues surrounding Marvin Pendarvis.
