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← South Carolina on November 3

South Carolina 4th District

William Timmons (R) holds this seat and is running again. 3 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.

Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
  • William Timmons

    Republican · holds this seat today

    A-
    Liberty Score A-

    On the liberty side in 113 of 126 votes and bills.

    Raised $1,774,180 since January 2025: 44% from PACs and other committees, 37% the candidate’s own money, 18% from people. The filing at FEC.gov

  • Courtney McClain

    Democrat · nonprofit youth organizer, civil rights advocate

    No grade
    No grade yet

    I have no votes in Congress to count for McClain, and what McClain has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 29. A grade needs 4.

    Raised $130,730 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov

Voting in South Carolina: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.

Side by side

A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.

Confronts tyranny and terror
A
Timmons18 of 18 votes with liberty
?
McClainNot clear either way, from 1 source
Stands with free nations and free peoples
C-
Timmons24 of 35 votes with liberty
F
McClainAgainst liberty, from 1 source
Free speech and a free mind
A
Timmons3 of 3 votes with liberty
–
McClainNothing on record
Free markets and free trade
A
Timmons20 of 20 votes with liberty
F
McClainMostly against liberty, from 4 sources
One law, equal for every individual
A
Timmons15 of 15 votes with liberty
–
McClainNothing on record
Freedom of conscience
–
Timmons1 of 1, too few to grade
–
McClainNothing on record
Strong enough to stay free
B-
Timmons9 of 11 votes with liberty
–
McClainNothing on record
Citizenship and the rule of law
A
Timmons23 of 23 votes with liberty
F
McClainAgainst liberty, from 2 sources

Courtney McClain, on the record

I have no votes in Congress to count for McClain, so the grade above comes from this list: what McClain has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteTyranny

    She says she would co-sponsor a War Powers Resolution on the president's use of the military, without naming a country.

    “Co-sponsor a War Powers Resolution to end Trump's abuse of the military for personal gain and restore Congress’s constitutional authority.”
    By the test I use for votes
    Not clear either way

    The line names no country or regime, so it does not settle the tyranny principle.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteFree nations

    She says she would push for an arms embargo on Israel.

    “push for an arms embargo on Israel and international accountability for a permanent ceasefire”
    By the test I use for votes
    Against liberty

    Cutting off weapons to Israel is against liberty on free nations.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteFree markets

    She says she would support Medicare for All to replace private insurance companies.

    “Expand Medicare and support Medicare for All to replace private insurance companies”
    By the test I use for votes
    Against liberty

    Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteFree markets

    She says she would pass a national law to cap rent increases.

    “Pass a national tenants' protection act to cap rent hikes”
    By the test I use for votes
    Against liberty

    Rent controls are against liberty on free markets.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteFree markets

    She says she would push back against the Trump tariffs.

    “Push back against the nonsense Trump Tariffs that are increasing the prices of everyday goods”
    By the test I use for votes
    With liberty

    Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteFree markets

    She says she would end the tipped minimum wage and raise the federal minimum wage.

    “End the tipped minimum wage and raise the federal minimum wage to a family-sustaining level that increases annually with the cost of living.”
    By the test I use for votes
    Against liberty

    A government-set wage floor is a price control, which the free markets principle opposes.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteBorders

    She says she would end detention and deportation as a default.

    “End detention and deportation as a default by investing in housing, legal support, and integration and divesting from private prison contracts.”
    By the test I use for votes
    Against liberty

    Ending deportation as the default is against liberty on borders.

  • October 2026 · Her campaign siteBorders

    She says she would fight to repeal the travel bans placed on 38 countries.

    “Fight to repeal the travel bans placed on 38 countries”
    By the test I use for votes
    Against liberty

    Opposing entry limits by country is against liberty on borders.

Also on the ballot

Jessica Ethridge (Libertarian).

Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.

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South Carolina 4th District

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