Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Republican
· State Senator
Chip Campsen
Represents District 43 in the State Senate.
Votes with Republicans
77%
on 74 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 84%
Cast a vote
93%
Yea or Nay on 638 of 687 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
7 of 28
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 7
Roll calls on record
687
126th General Assembly
Votes and bills updated Oct 5, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 126th General Assembly.
How Chip Campsen votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Chip Campsen sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Chip Campsen is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
17 of 74 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: To Continue The Bill · 2026-05-26 · Passed 26–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Rule 15b · 2026-05-26 · Failed 20–24 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15 · 2026-05-22 · Failed 26–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15 · 2026-05-22 · Failed 25–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
H3021 · Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act
In plain English Requires legislative approval for regulations with estimated costs of one million dollars or more over five years, and makes related changes to regulatory review and judicial processes.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Failed 22–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0222 · Utility terrain vehicle
In plain English Allows utility terrain vehicles to be registered and operated on state highways and streets, and permits farmers with certain licenses to operate them without restrictions.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-13 · Passed 26–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0222 · Utility terrain vehicle
In plain English Allows utility terrain vehicles to be registered and operated on state highways and streets, and permits farmers with certain licenses to operate them without restrictions.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number Rfh-1 · 2026-05-13 · Failed 19–24 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0883 · Sine Die 2026
In plain English Sets the 2026 legislative session to adjourn May 14, then reconvene as needed before final adjournment by November 8.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-12 · Failed 29–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 61b · 2026-04-23 · Failed 17–26 · most Republicans voted the other way
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 24 · 2026-04-22 · Passed 24–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
H3021 · Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act
In plain English Requires legislative approval for regulations with estimated costs of one million dollars or more over five years, and makes related changes to regulatory review and judicial processes.
Senate: To Concur · 2026-05-14 · Failed 22–22
H5126 · Budget
In plain English Appropriates funds and provides revenues for South Carolina state government operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment No, 4 · 2026-04-21 · Passed 21–20
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 20 · 2026-03-18 · Passed 19–18
S0052 · Driving under the influence
In plain English Increases penalties for driving under the influence, requires victim impact panels, creates a second-degree felony DUI offense, and revises testing and license suspension procedures.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 45 · 2026-02-04 · Failed 22–23
H5683 · Redistricting, Congressional Districts
In plain English Establishes new congressional election districts for South Carolina and repeals the previous district boundaries.
Senate: Rule 15b · 2026-05-26 · Failed 20–24
Democrats they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Kent WilliamsDemocrat · District 30 · 114 shared contested votes
59%
Darrell JacksonDemocrat · District 21 · 100 shared contested votes
55%
Brad HuttoDemocrat · District 40 · 102 shared contested votes
50%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (49 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Carolina Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Chip Campsen was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced28
Out of committee10
Passed one chamber10
Passed both chambers7
Became law7
Never left committee18
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting
In plain English Revises catch and size limits for red drum, requires certain circle hooks for saltwater fishing, and increases anterless deer tags issued.
Official synopsis: Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 50-5-1705, Relating To Catch Limits For Certain Saltwater Game Fish, So As To Revise The Catch Limit For Red Drum; By Amending Section 50-5-1710, Relating To Size Limits For Certain Saltwater Game Fish, So As…
Became lawEffective date See Act for Effective Date · 2026-06-05
Rudy Socha
A Senate Resolution To Recognize And Honor Rudy Socha For His Work With Wounded Nature-working Veterans And To Commend Him For Years Of Service Protecting The Coastal Habitats Of The State.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-28
Master-in-EquityTerms of Office
In plain English Requires the terms of masters-in-equity to begin on July 1.
Official synopsis: Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 14-11-25 So As To Provide That The Terms Of Masters-in-equity Begin July 1.
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2026-04-22
Voluntary Conservation Easements
A Senate Resolution To Recognize The Importance Of Voluntary Conservation Easements And Honor The National Assembly Of Sportsmen's Caucuses For Protecting Wildlife Habitats And Private Property Rights.
Not out of committeeAdopted · 2026-04-15
Abandoned Vessels, Derelict Vessels, and Sunken Vessels
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Article 2 To Chapter 21, Title 50 Entitled "abandoned Vessels, Derelict Vessels, And Sunken Vessels" So As To Provide That Abandoned Vessels, Derelict Vessels, And Sunken Vessels Are Public Nuisances; To Define Terms; To Establish The…
Became lawAct No. 22 · 2025-05-16
Baiting Wild Turkeys
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 50-11-510, Relating To The Prohibition Against Baiting Wild Turkeys, So As To Exempt Certain Persons Who Are Two Hundred Yards Or More From A Baited Area Managed For The Restoration And Sustainability Of Wild Bobwhite…
Became lawAct No. 21 · 2025-05-16
State Agency Rule Making
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Sections 1-23-115, 1-23-120, And 1-23-125, All Relating To The Requirements And Procedures For Regulations, All So As To Provide For The Tolling Of The Period Of Legislative Review From The Second Friday In May Through The…
Became lawAct No. 13 · 2025-05-16
South Carolina Conservation Education Act
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Enacting The "south Carolina Conservation Education Act" By Adding Section 50-9-980 So As To Establish The South Carolina Conservation Education Fund And The Purpose For Which Revenues In The Fund May Be Expended. – Ratified Title
Became lawAct No. 15 · 2025-05-16
South Carolina Lights Out program
A Senate Resolution To Declare The Nights Of March Through May And August Through October As "lights Out Nights In South Carolina Season" And To Urge South Carolina Residents To Turn Out Non-essential Lights At Night During These Critical Periods In The Spring And Fall…
Not out of committeeAdopted · 2025-02-20
Special Elections
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 7-13-190, Relating To Special Elections To Fill Vacancies In Office, So As To Require Special Elections To Be Held Only On Certain Enumerated Dates.
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2025-02-13
South Carolina Waterways Protection Act
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact The "south Carolina Waterways Protection Act"; By Adding Section 50-9-975 So As To Establish The South Carolina Waterways Protection Fund And The Purposes For Which Revenues In The Fund May Be Expended; And By…
Passed one chamberReferred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs · 2025-02-11
Constitutional amendment
An Amendment To Section 7, Article Vi Of The Constitution Of South Carolina, Relating To The Constitutional Officers Of This State, So As To Delete The Comptroller General From The List Of Constitutional Officers And To Provide That The General Assembly Shall Provide By Law…
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2025-02-06
Lafayette bicentennial celebration
A Senate Resolution To Declare The Month Of March 2025 As "the Celebration Of The Bicentennial Of The Marquis De Lafayette's Visit During His Farewell Tour Of The Nation In 1825" In South Carolina.
Not out of committeeScrivener's error corrected · 2025-01-30
Robert Boyles Retirement
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate Robert H. Boyles Jr. Upon The Occasion Of His Retirement, To Commend Him For His Many Years Of Dedicated Service To The People And The State Of South Carolina, And To Wish Him Much Happiness And Fulfillment In The Years…
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2025-01-29
Magistrate Eligibility Examination
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 22-2-5, Relating To The Eligibility Examination For Magistrates, So As To Extend The Time Period For The Validity Of The Examination Scores From Six Months Before And Six Months After The Time The Appointment Is…
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Judiciary · 2025-01-23
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
H5126 · 2026-08-11
Budget (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H3021 · 2026-06-25
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4248 · 2026-06-25
Food labeling (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Grant Free Conference Powers)
H4763 · 2026-06-25
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: To Adopt The Free Conference Report)
H3924 · 2026-06-25
Hemp-derived ingestible (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S0011 · 2026-06-25
Paid Family Leave Eligible State Employee (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H3387 · 2026-06-25
Unlawful occupants of property (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S0428 · 2026-06-25
Fraudulent Check Expungement (Senate: To Override The Veto)
H4069 · 2026-06-25
Patient-Friendly Billing (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4300 · 2026-06-25
Retirement System for Judges and Solicitors (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4635 · 2026-06-25
Physical Fitness Services (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4709 · 2026-06-25
US produced iron and steel (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
S1043 · 2026-06-25
Civil Air Patrol Leave Act (Senate: To Concur)
S0238 · 2026-06-25
Sine Die (Senate: To Override The Veto)
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Rule 15b)
H5683 · 2026-05-26
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Continue The Bill)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 19)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
H5683 · 2026-05-22
Redistricting, Congressional Districts (Senate: Motion To Suspend Rule 15)
H3021 · 2026-05-14
Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act (Senate: To Concur)
H4591 · 2026-05-14
Stop Harm from Addictive Social Media (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0832 · 2026-05-14
University Campus Events Zoning (Senate: To Concur)
S0508 · 2026-05-14
Monuments (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H5018 · 2026-05-14
Agency Head Salary Commission, Governor and Lt. Governor (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0688 · 2026-05-14
DEW UI Tax Code (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4709 · 2026-05-14
US produced iron and steel (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4763 · 2026-05-14
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number Rfh-1)
S0222 · 2026-05-13
Utility terrain vehicle (Senate: To Concur)
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: To Lay On The Table)
H5538 · 2026-05-13
Guarantee Banking Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4042 · 2026-05-13
Ivermectin (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5120 · 2026-05-13
Fingerprinting, offenses by minors (Senate: 2nd Reading)
S0688 · 2026-05-13
DEW UI Tax Code (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
H4589 · 2026-05-13
Education Capital Improvements Sales and Use Tax (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4303 · 2026-05-13
Cigarettes for heating (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5122 · 2026-05-12
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 3rd Reading)
S0454 · 2026-05-12
Charter School Accountability (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0961 · 2026-05-12
Red drum, saltwater fish, deer hunting (Senate: To Adopt Amendment)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-2)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number Rfh-3)
S0883 · 2026-05-12
Sine Die 2026 (Senate: To Concur)
H4476 · 2026-05-12
SC-Bahamas Trade Commission (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4382 · 2026-05-12
Nonprescription Ephedrine Products (Senate: 2nd Reading)
S0831 · 2026-05-12
SCDOT Modernization (Senate: To Adopt The Conference Report)
H4000 · 2026-05-12
Alcohol licensing (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H3569 · 2026-05-12
Domestic violence in rental properties (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5113 · 2026-05-12
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5122 · 2026-05-07
Internet and Communications Service Providers Equipment (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5208 · 2026-05-07
Sales Tax Exemption (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4679 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina Drone Regulation and Public Safety Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4163 · 2026-05-07
South Carolina High School Athletic Association (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H5113 · 2026-05-07
Manufactured and modular homes (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4189 · 2026-05-07
DHEC Restructuring (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5537 · 2026-05-07
Dillon National Guard Armory (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4337 · 2026-05-07
Subpoena Powers (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5006 · 2026-05-07
Taxes (Senate: 3rd Reading)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 687 total roll-call votes this session).
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