Dittmer Concedes 5th District Race to Climer
Democrat Mallory Dittmer lost the South Carolina 5th Congressional District race to State Sen. Wes Climer, who was endorsed by her campaign's offer of support.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democrat Mallory Dittmer conceded the South Carolina 5th Congressional District race to State Sen. Wes Climer after the November 3, 2026 election. In a written statement released in Rock Hill, she congratulated Climer and offered her support.
Why it matters
The result shapes South Carolina's congressional delegation for the coming term and comes as the state recorded its highest midterm voter turnout on record. Dittmer's campaign drew voters across party lines, a factor for statewide Democratic organizing.
The available record reports only the outcome, with the margin and vote totals not provided in the source. Statewide turnout in the 2026 midterm reached the highest level recorded for a South Carolina midterm, while the margin of the 5th District race remains unreported.
The players
Mallory Dittmer
Dittmer was the Democratic nominee in South Carolina's 5th Congressional District, a public figure who ran a campaign built on more than a year of volunteer organizing.
Wes Climer
Climer is a Republican state senator from South Carolina who won the 5th Congressional District seat over Dittmer.
The details
Dittmer, the Democratic nominee, lost to Climer, a state senator, in the contest for South Carolina's 5th Congressional District. Her campaign mobilized nearly a thousand volunteers over more than a year and drew voters of all political parties before she released a statement from Rock Hill congratulating her opponent.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Election held and Dittmer releases statement conceding to Climer.
Political Context
The 2026 midterm produced the highest turnout in South Carolina's midterm history, a benchmark against which this 5th District race is measured. Dittmer's campaign, which drew voters across party lines, reflects the broader high-engagement environment in which the contest was decided.
The outcome determines which candidate will represent South Carolina's 5th Congressional District, affecting constituents' federal representation. Voters in the district will see a new congressional representative based on the results of this race.
The takeaway
Election results can shift representation quickly, so checking certified results and candidate statements helps residents stay informed about who represents them in Congress.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Elections section for context on South Carolina's races.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wrhi.
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