Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Carolina
Republican
· State Senator
Tom Fernandez
Represents District 39 in the State Senate.
Votes with Republicans
79%
on 52 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 84%
Cast a vote
88%
Yea or Nay on 541 of 616 roll calls · Senate median 94%
Their bills that became law
2 of 3
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 7
Roll calls on record
616
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 Tom Fernandez 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 Tom Fernandez 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. Tom Fernandez is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
11 of 52 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
H4163 · South Carolina High School Athletic Association
In plain English Requires interscholastic athletic associations to meet oversight and accountability standards for public schools to join or fund them.
Senate: 2nd Reading · 2026-05-06 · Passed 28–12 · 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 43a · 2026-04-23 · Failed 19–23 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0508 · Monuments
In plain English Expands protections for monuments and memorials from relocation or removal, allows the General Assembly to act on certain monuments by joint resolution, and permits affinity organizations to sue to prevent certain actions regarding monuments.
Senate: To Lay On The Table Amendment Number 15 · 2026-04-15 · Passed 28–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Consider Amendment 39 On 3rd Reading · 2026-03-24 · Failed 14–29 · most Republicans voted the other way
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 1a · 2026-03-11 · Failed 18–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
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 Adopt Amendment Number 45 · 2026-02-04 · Failed 19–27 · most Republicans voted the other way
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 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0012 · Santee Cooper Joint Project Authorization
Senate: 2nd Reading · 2025-04-03 · Passed 25–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Senate: To Carry Over Amendment Number 3a · 2025-03-18 · Passed 25–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
S0244 · Tort Reform
Senate: To Recede For 15 Minutes · 2025-03-18 · Passed 26–18 · 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
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
H3924 · Hemp-derived ingestible
In plain English Requires regulation of the sale of hemp-derived consumable products.
Senate: To Adopt Amendment Number 1a · 2026-03-11 · Failed 18–22
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
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.
Russell OttDemocrat · District 26 · 81 shared contested votes
31%
Ronnie SabbDemocrat · District 32 · 88 shared contested votes
31%
Deon TedderDemocrat · District 42 · 88 shared contested votes
31%
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 (75 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Carolina Delegation
AbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentYeaNayYeaYeaYeaNayNayNayNayYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Tom Fernandez 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.
Introduced3
Out of committee2
Passed one chamber2
Passed both chambers2
Became law2
Never left committee1
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 7 bills that became law this session.
Dylan Carter
A Senate Resolution To Express Profound Sorrow Upon The Passing Of Dylan Carter And To Extend The Deepest Sympathy To His Family And Many Friends.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-29
Dorchester Academy Girls Basketball
A Senate Resolution To Congratulate The Dorchester Academy Lady Raiders Basketball Team And Coaches For Winning The 2026 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 2a State Championship Title And Commend Them For An Outstanding Season.
Became lawIntroduced and adopted · 2026-04-22
Tax Free Month
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Amending Section 12-36-2120, Relating To Exemptions From Sales Tax, So As To Extend Tax Free Weekend To The Entire Month Of August.
Not out of committeeReferred to Committee on Finance · 2026-01-13
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)
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)
H5018 · 2026-05-14
Agency Head Salary Commission, Governor and Lt. Governor (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4763 · 2026-05-14
Helping Alleviate Lawful Obstruction (HALO) Act (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3558 · 2026-05-13
Commissioners to Article V Convention (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)
H5217 · 2026-05-13
Deer tags (Senate: 3rd 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)
H3570 · 2026-05-13
Disclosure of Economic Interests (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4706 · 2026-05-13
Racing facility (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)
H4069 · 2026-05-07
Patient-Friendly Billing (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H3335 · 2026-05-07
Designation of representation in magistrates court (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5164 · 2026-05-07
Hospitals (Senate: 2nd Reading)
S1043 · 2026-05-07
Civil Air Patrol Leave Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5093 · 2026-05-07
Gross proceeds (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H4635 · 2026-05-07
Physical Fitness Services (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3863 · 2026-05-06
South Carolina STEM Opportunity Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H3474 · 2026-05-06
Transportation Network Companies (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4804 · 2026-05-06
Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, penalties (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4305 · 2026-05-06
Wellness reimbursement program (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5179 · 2026-05-06
School Mapping Data Program (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3841 · 2026-05-06
Property tax (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5069 · 2026-05-06
SC Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H4163 · 2026-05-06
South Carolina High School Athletic Association (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5573 · 2026-05-06
Spartanburg County Memorial Auditorium Commission (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H3387 · 2026-05-06
Unlawful occupants of property (Senate: 3rd Reading)
H3551 · 2026-05-06
Poll Worker Pay (Senate: 2nd Reading)
H5537 · 2026-05-06
Dillon National Guard Armory (Senate: 2nd Reading)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 616 total roll-call votes this session).
Primary Office
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