Live Results: May 17 Legislative Special Elections

There are a handful of legislative special elections on Tuesday. Those in Oregon and Pennsylvania coincide with the statewide primary, while South Carolina's is standalone. That state's primary is June 14.

Pennsylvania State Senate District 5

Republicans hold a 28-20 edge over Democrats in the Pennsylvania State Senate. There is one independent. Members serve staggered four-year terms; half the seats are up for election in November. Nominees are being chosen in Tuesday's statewide primaries using redistricted boundaries.

District 5 is located in Philadelphia. Democrat John Sabatina Jr. was elected as a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas last November and vacated the seat upon assuming that office. Sabatina was unopposed for reelection in 2020. He defeated his GOP opponent by 67% to 32% in 2016.

The nominees are Democrat Jimmy Dillon and Republican Sam Oropeza. Polls close at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

South Carolina State House District 97

Republicans hold 79 of 124 seats in the South Carolina State House. Democrats control 43. There are two vacancies. The next regularly scheduled elections will be in November. These will be contested using redistricted boundaries.

District 97 is located northwest of Charleston. Republican Mandy Kimmons resigned in December to focus on her legal practice. Kimmons was first elected in 2018, when she flipped the district, defeating incumbent Democrat Patsy Knight by 54% to 46%. Her margin of victory widened to 62%-38% in 2020.

The nominees are Republican Robby Robbins and Democrat ReZsaun Lewis. Polls close at 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

A special election for the District 18 vacancy will take place next Tuesday. Not much suspense there: Republican Alan Morgan is the only candidate on the ballot.

Oregon State Senate District 18 (Primary)

Democrats hold an 18-11 margin over Democrats in the Oregon State Senate. Members serve staggered four-year terms; half the seats are up for election in November. For those November elections, nominees are being chosen in Tuesday's statewide primaries using redistricted boundaries.

Senate District 18 extends southwestward from Portland. Long-time incumbent Ginny Burdick resigned last November to accept an appointment from Gov. Kate Brown (D). Democrat Akasha Lawrence-Spence was appointed to the position and will serve until a winner is determined in the November 8 special general election.

Alisa Blum and State Rep. WInsvey Campos are competing for the Democratic nomination. Kimberly Rice faces no opposition for the Republican nomination. Polls close at 11:00 PM Eastern Time.