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 male state senators from passing a bill that would ban all abortions in South Carolina.[2][3] On May 23, 2023, Senate Republicans passed another bill that severely restricted abortion rights to six weeks, a time when most women don't even know they're pregnant, exceptions made only in cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormalities or the woman's life or health, and paving the way for a Supreme Court confrontation over its elements.[4]
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]
In 2024, Gustafson faced Republican primary challenger Allen Blackmon, a Lancaster County councilman. This right flank challenge is prompted, in part, by Gustafson's opposition to the state's abortion ban.[8][9] Blackmon won the Republican nomination,[10] and will go on to face Democratic challenger Yokima Cureton in the November general election.[11]
References
^"South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
^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.
^Sen. Tim Scott in Spartanburg to announce campaign endorsements". FOX Carolina. June 12, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.