2000 South Carolina Senate election

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The 2000 South Carolina Senate election was held on November 7, 2000, with all 46 seats in the Senate up for election. Before the vote, Democrats held 25 seats and Republicans held 21. In the general election, Republicans gained two seats, creating a 23–23 tie in the chamber. Soon after, Democrat J. Verne Smith of District 5 switched to the Republican Party, giving the GOP a 24–22 majority—the first Republican control of the South Carolina Senate since 1878. The chamber’s leadership shifted as Republican Glenn F. McConnell became the president pro tempore, with Democrat John W. Drummond previously serving as the minority leader.