Dwight Loftis

Dwight A. Loftis (born February 4, 1943) is a retired American politician and insurance agent from South Carolina. A member of the South Carolina Senate from 2019 to 2024, he previously represented district 19 in the South Carolina House of Representatives for 23 years from 1996 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican party.

Dwight Loftis
Member of the South Carolina Senate from the 6th district
In office March 27, 2019 – December 2024
Preceded by	William Timmons[1]
Succeeded by	Jason Elliott
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 19th district
In office January 24, 1996 – March 27, 2019
Preceded by	Mike Fair[2]
Succeeded by	Patrick Haddon[3]
Personal details
Born	(1943-02-04) February 4, 1943 (age 82) Greenville County, South Carolina, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Sandra Elaine Jones ​ (m. 1963)​
Children	3
Education	North Greenville University (AA, 1966)
Profession	Insurance agent, politician

S.C. House of Representatives (1996–2019)

From 1996 to 2019, Loftis represented district 19 in the South Carolina House of Representatives. His entry to the office was upon winning a January 1996 special election.^[4]

S.C. Senate

From 2019 to 2024, Loftis represented South Carolina's 6th Senate District (a portion of Greenville County). He was first elected during a special election when incumbent William Timmons succeeded Trey Gowdy in representing South Carolina's 4th Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.^[1] In 2023, Loftis announced he would retire and not seek reelection.^[5][6]

Political views

Loftis opposes gay marriage and strongly supports marriage as defined between a man and woman.^[7] He voted to keep the Confederate Flag flying above the South Carolina Statehouse.^[8] He is a strong supporter of "law and order," the second amendment, and South Carolina's "heartbeat bill," restricting abortion after six-weeks.^[9]

Personal life

Loftis resides in Greenville, South Carolina with his wife Sandra. They have three children. Loftis first obtained an Associate degree from North Greenville University (then, North Greenville College) in 1966. He was an insurance agent, but has since retired.^[10]

Loftis has been an active member of the Greenville community, particularly on issues of crime and education. He is a board member and past president of the Crime Stoppers of Greenville, and has held positions such as:

• Past chairman of the North West Business Education Partnership School District of Greenville
• Past member of the Leadership Council School District in Greenville County
• Former Greenville County School Trustee

Electoral history

Year	Office	Type	Party		Main opponent	Party		Votes for Loftis				Result	Swing		Ref.
								Total	%	P.	±%
1996	S.C. Representative	Special		Republican	Johnnie S. Fulton		Democratic	1,423	51.35%	1st	N/A	Won		Hold	[11]
1996		General		Republican	Johnnie S. Fulton		Democratic	4,992	56.48%	1st	N/A	Won		Hold	[12]
1998		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		6,224	97.69%	1st	+41.21%	Won		Hold	[13]
2000		General		Republican	Debbie Hill		Democratic	6,126	66.02%	1st	-31.67%	Won		Hold	[14]
2002		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		6,441	97.80%	1st	+31.78%	Won		Hold	[15]
2004		General		Republican	Luanne M. Taylor		Democratic	7,746	72.14%	1st	-25.66%	Won		Hold	[16]
2006		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		5,991	98.89%	1st	+26.75%	Won		Hold	[17]
2008		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		9,205	98.58%	1st	-0.31%	Won		Hold	[18][19]
2010		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		6,467	98.60%	1st	+0.02%	Won		Hold	[20]
2012		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		9,213	97.90%	1st	-0.70%	Won		Hold	[21]
2014		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		6,492	98.62%	1st	+0.72%	Won		Hold	[22]
2016		General		Republican	Write-in	N/A		10,379	98.56%	1st	-0.06%	Won		Hold	[23]
2018		General		Republican	Carrie Counton		Democratic	6,744	61.16%	1st	-37.40%	Won		Hold	[24]
2019	S.C. Senate	Rep. primary		Republican	Amy Ryberg Doyle		Republican	3,528	55.41%	1st	N/A	Won	N/A		[25][1]
		Special		Republican	Tina Belge		Democratic	4,440	55.64%	1st	N/A	Won		Hold	[26]
2020		General		Republican	Hao Wu		Democratic	33,300	65.13%	1st	N/A	Won		Hold	[9][27]

Awards and honors

Governor Henry McMaster presented the Order of the Palmetto to Loftis at the December 2, 2024, Greenville County Legislative Delegation meeting.^[28]