John L. Scott Jr.

John L. Scott Jr. (October 21, 1953 – August 13, 2023) was an American politician who served as a member of the South Carolina Legislature from 1991 until his death. Scott was a small business owner in Columbia, South Carolina.

Scott was a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in 2018.

Political career
Scott worked as a field representative for the Office of the Governor in 1975. From 1988 to 1990, he served as vice chair for Richland County Council.

1990 South Carolina House of Representatives campaign
With the 77th district seat vacated after Operation Lost Trust, a special election was held on December 4, 1990. Scott defeated Republican Mary Fitzpatrick, and was certified and sworn in as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives in January 1991. He completed the remainder of the unexpired term and was elected unopposed to a full term in 1992.

2008 South Carolina Senate campaign
In 2008, Scott faced Vince Ford in the Democratic primary for South Carolina Senate Seat District 19. After the Primary, the State Board of Canvassers of the South Carolina State Election Commission ordered a recount, which took place on June 16, 2008. The recount gave Scott the primary victory. Scott went on to defeat United Citizens Party candidate Chris Nelums in the general election, and represent the 19th district in the South Carolina Senate after the retirement of Kay Patterson.

Scott served as a member of the College and University Trustee Screening Commission, a Joint Committee with members from the House and Senate. He served on the Senate Banking and Insurance; Education; Finance; Labor, Commerce and Industry; Legislative Oversight, and Medical Affairs Committees.

2012 South Carolina Senate campaign
In 2012, Scott had no primary opponent and won unopposed in the general election.

2014 United States Senate special election
In 2014, Scott considered running for the Democratic nomination in the United States Senate special election for the seat held by Tim Scott, before ultimately declining.

2016 South Carolina Senate campaign
In 2016, Richland County Council Chairman Torrey Rush challenged Scott for the Senate seat. Scott won the Democratic primary with over 60% of the vote.

2018 Lieutenant Governor campaign
In 2018, Scott was selected to serve as running mate for the office of lieutenant governor, on a ticket with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Marguerite Willis. Scott and Willis were eliminated in the Democratic primary, losing to Rep. James E. Smith Jr., and running mate Rep. Mandy Powers Norrell.

2020 South Carolina Senate campaign
In 2020, Scott had no primary opponent and won unopposed in the general election.

Honors and recognitions
In 2002, Scott was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Jim Hodges.

In 2019, Scott gave the Democratic response to the State of the State address.

In 2020, Scott received an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from South Carolina State University.

In 2021, Scott received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Allen University and the Marion P. Carnell Award from the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association.

In 2022, Morris College opened the John L. Scott Jr. Institute of Network Information Technology and Security Lab. Scott led the South Carolina Institutes for Innovation and Information, which supports the state's seven historically black colleges and universities. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa from Voorhees University.

In 2023, Scott was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Manufactured Housing Institute of South Carolina and "Columbia 50 Most Influential" by Columbia Business Monthly;

Death
Scott was hospitalized at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on August 11, 2023, and had previously dealt with blood clot issues. He died on August 13 at the age of 69. Governor Henry McMaster announced that flags would be lowered in the late Senator's honor. On August 17, 2023, Executive Order 2023-28 was filed for that purpose. A memorial service was held on August 19, 2023, at Bible Way Church of Atlas Road in Columbia. Over 1800 people attended, including Governor Henry McMaster, former governor Jim Hodges, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. Some of the dignitaries giving remarks included President of the South Carolina Senate Thomas C. Alexander, former representative Jerry Govan Jr., Representative Leon Howard and deacon and retired University of South Carolina head Track and Field coach Curtis Frye.

Special Election
A special election will be held later this year to fill Scott's unexpired term. On August 22, the Office of the President of the South Carolina Senate announced that the date of the special election would be January 2, 2024. Filing took place between September 1 and 9, 2023, with primaries held on October 24 and a run-off set for November 7. On the first day of filing, three candidates filed for the Democratic primary: former South Carolina Democratic Party Black Caucus Chair Johnnie Cordero, State House of Representative member Kambrell Garvin, and Broad River Business Alliance President Javar Juarez. At the close of the filing period, seven had filed to run, including Democratic Party candidate and City of Columbia former Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, Independence Party candidate Michael A. Addison, United Citizens Party candidate Chris Nelums, and Republican Party candidate Kizzy Smalls. On October 24, Isaac Devine won the Democratic primary, and will face Addison, Nelums and Smalls for the January 2024 special election.