No Show Murphy resigns from SC House District 98: Special Election scheduled

 

South Carolina House Representative Chris Murphy, R-Dorchester,
 is retiring. Murphy was first elected to House District 98 in 2010.

Written by Tony J. Spain, Palmetto Examiner
August 22, 2025

South Carolina State Representative Chris Murphy, R-Dorchester, who was a frequent no show at the state house missing approximately 48% of votes the last legislative session, according to an analysis of state house records, has resigned.

Murphy, 56, who has represented House District 98 since 2010, is serving his eighth term and was once the chairman of the S.C. House judiciary committee with a promising future has struggled with attendance issues for years due to alleged substance abuse issues.

In 2022 Murphy was absent from key House judiciary committee meetings he was supposed to chair due to an undisclosed illness before entering a North Carolina rehabilitation treatment facility for alcohol abuse that sidelined him for much of the session that year.

“It has come to my attention that questions about my health have arisen publicly,” Murphy said in a September 2022 statement to The State newspaper reporter Joseph Bustos. “While this issue is deeply personal, I would like to share that after struggling with alcohol abuse, I have sought treatment and am currently taking steps to ensure I am healthy moving forward.”

Concerns of Murphy’s struggles with alcohol have resurfaced in 2025 as the House member missed almost half of all votes last session and S.C. House Speaker Murrell Smith granted him excused absences for the final two-and-a-half months of the 2025 legislative session.

“While this decision is bittersweet, my retirement will allow me to spend more time with my loved ones and focus on my work outside of public office,” Murphy wrote in his resignation letter.

It is not known who will run to fill the seat that represents portions of North Charleston and Dorchester County. Murphy will finish out his current term that ends Jan 5, 2026, but the special election process to replace him will begin quickly because of a “irrevocable” declaration in his resignation letter triggers a special election per S.C. Code of Laws s8-1-145.

Filing for the special election will begin Sept 5, 2025, and close Sept. 13, 2025. The primary election is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, with runoffs scheduled for two weeks later on Nov. 18, if needed.

The special election will take place Jan. 6, 2026.

The district is considered safe Republican territory with Murphy comfortably winning his past two elections by 14 points or more.

About the Author: Tony Spain is a former candidate for Richland County Council 2020 and an award winning former military photographer and journalist while in the Public Affairs Office for the U.S. Army. His photos and writing have been published in numerous publications such as The Commercial News, Danville, Ill.; The Paraglide, Fort Bragg, N.C.; Soldier of Fortune Magazine; The State Newspaper, Columbia, S.C., and more.

He lives in Columbia, S.C.

 **********

What Say You? Got something you'd like to say? Letter to the Editor (Guest Column), praises, criticism, hate mail, news story tip or just want to say, howdy. Send them to Tony@palmettoexaminer.com 

Editorial: South Carolina Special Elections are Tomorrow: Palmetto Examiner endorses two candidates: Oden and Ward

There are some special elections currently under way in South Carolina. Early voting ended Friday. So, if you live in an area holding a special election, tomorrow is your last chance, last call for voting. Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm. And since voter turnout is usually low for special elections, your vote could matter more than ever. Here’s who Palmetto Examiner endorses, and we hope you’ll consider voting for.

Bill Oden gives a high five to a student at Liberty
Steam Charter School in Sumter during their 4th 
annual Liberty Leadership Experience May 21. An
event that allows community leaders to take
a closer look at the school's operations. 

State House District 50: Republican Bill Oden is our pick. Oden has never held any political office, but I don’t believe that is necessarily a bad thing. What he lacks in experience of holding office he makes up for in service. He’s a 20 plus year military veteran and his distinguished military service record in the United States Air Force and the South Carolina Guard brings the ideals of service, duty and honor that is needed in SC House District 50.

Oden will stand for the sanctity of life, will protect our second amendment rights and will work to cut the red tape and lower taxes to help attract new jobs and keep the ones already in District 50.

Oden also has a strong record of community service as a board member on the Sumter County SC Habitat for Humanity. A member of the Military Affairs Committee on the Sumter Conty SC Chamber of Commerce. Chairman of the Board for Hidden Wounds. Member of the Board of Trustees at SC State University and Chairman of the Sumter County GOP.

This election will replace former Democrat Rep. Will Wheeler, who unexpectantly resigned three days into the legislative session in January after holding the seat for eight years. The district includes portions of Kershaw, Lee and Sumter counties.

This district has been a democrat stronghold for too long and it’s time for a change to escape the Jim Clyburn corridor of shame of one of the most poverty strickenUS Congressional Districts in the nation.

His democrat opponent is endorsed by Clyburn and Planned Parenthood, that sounds like more of the same ole situation to us.

Mike Ward speaks at a candidate meet and greet held 
by the Lexington County NAACP on May 30, 2025.

IRMO TOWN COUNCIL: Mike Ward has been a cheerleader for Irmo. He loves the place and wants to see it succeed. Ward knows Irmo is growing fast, and he wants it to grow smart with a plan for infrastructure that keeps Irmo’s comfortable charm. He’s also the only candidate in the race We’ve met and that means a lot.

Mike has built a portfolio of trust in public service. He currently chairs the Irmo Okra Strut Commission, serves as chair of the School Improvement Council at Dutch Fork Elementary and has held key leadership positions in the South Carolina PTA.

He’s also a businessman leading two cyber security companies focused on protecting small businesses and older adults stay safe from cyber threats online. He has also worked closely with the FBI to help protect critical infrastructure across the state.

His combined experience in public service and business leadership gives him a unique and practical perspective to serve Irmo well into the future.

Now go vote, bring a like-minded friend!