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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 % . 1996 S.C. Representative Special Republican Johnnie S. Fulton Democratic 1,423 51.35% 1st N/A Hold 1996 General Republican Johnnie S. Fulton Democratic 4,992 56.48% 1st N/A Hold 1998 General Republican Write-in N/A 6,224 97.69% 1st +41.21% Hold 2000 General Republican Debbie Hill Democratic 6,126 66.02% 1st -31.67% Hold 2002 General Republican Write-in N/A 6,441 97.80% 1st +31.78% Hold 2004 General Republican Luanne M. Taylor Democratic 7,746 72.14% 1st -25.66% Hold 2006 General Republican Write-in N/A 5,991 98.89% 1st +26.75% Hold 2008 General Republican Write-in N/A 9,205 98.58% 1st -0.31% Hold 2010 General Republican Write-in N/A 6,467 98.60% 1st +0.02% Hold 2012 General Republican Write-in N/A 9,213 97.90% 1st -0.70% Hold 2014 General Republican Write-in N/A 6,492 98.62% 1st +0.72% Hold 2016 General Republican Write-in N/A 10,379 98.56% 1st -0.06% Hold 2018 General Republican Carrie Counton Democratic 6,744 61.16% 1st -37.40% Hold 2019 S.C. Senate Rep. primary Republican Amy Ryberg Doyle Republican 3,528 55.41% 1st N/A N/A 2020 General Republican Hao Wu Democratic 33,300 65.13% 1st N/A Hold

Awards and honors Governor Henry McMaster presented the Order of the Palmetto to Loftis at the December 2, 2024, Greenville County Legislative Delegation meeting.