| Ivory Torrey Thigpen | |
| State House: | South Carolina |
| District: | 79th |
| Term Start: | November 14, 2016 |
| Predecessor: | Mia McLeod |
| Birth Date: | 11 May 1978 |
| Birth Place: | Jackson, Mississippi, United States |
| Profession: | pastor, physician |
| Alma Mater: | Jackson State University (B.S.) Palmer College of Chiropractic (D.C.) Morehouse School of Religion (M.Div.) |
| Party: | Democratic |
Ivory Torrey Thigpen Jr. is an American politician. He is a member of the Democratic party.[1]
Thigpen was born and educated in Mississippi, a graduate of Jackson State University. He is Pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Columbia. Thigpen and his wife are co-owners of a chiropractic office.[2]
Thigpen is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 79th District, serving since 2016.[3] He served on the House Judiciary and Rules committee.[4]
In 2023, Thigpen chaired the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus.[5]
Thigpen attended the 2024 Democratic National Convention as a Party and Elected Leader delegate.[6]
In January 2024, Thigpen announced his candidacy for State Senate District 22, the seat currently held by incumbent Mia McLeod.[7] [8] [9] Educator Dr. Monica Elkins also announced a run in the Democratic Primary.[10]
In February 2024, businessman Hamilton Grant announced plans to run for House District 79, the seat currently held by Thigpen.[11] Grant and community advocate Jonneika Farr faced each other in the Democratic Primary. Grant defeated Farr, and will face Republican Rebecca Madsen in the General Election.[12] [13]
On April 1, 2024, McLeod announced that she would not seek re-election. Richland County Council member Overture Walker joined Thigpen and Elkins as candidates for the Democratic Primary nomination. Lee Blatt filed to run as a Republican candidate for the seat.[14] [15]
On June 11, Thigpen and Walker were the top vote getters in the Democratic Primary, and faced each other in a runoff. Lee Blatt withdrew, and Gary Votour with the South Carolina Workers Party will face the winner of the Democratic Primary in the general election.[16]
On June 25, Thigpen was defeated by Walker in the Primary runoff.[17]
| Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | Candidate | Votes | Pct | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Democratic Primary[18] | align="right" | 2,105 | 46.74% | align="right" | 2,074 | 46.05% | align="right" | 325 | 7.22% | ||||||||||||
| 2016 Democratic Primary Runoff[19] | align="right" | 1,275 | 63.88% | align="right" | 721 | 36.12% | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 General Election[20] | align="right" | 13,366 | 73.03% | align="right" | 4,581 | 25.03% | align="right" | 354 | 1.93% | ||||||||||||
| 2018 Democratic Primary | colspan=2 align="center" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 General Election[21] | align="right" | 13,307 | 87.8% | align="right" | 1,782 | 11.8% | align="right" | 63 | 0.4% | ||||||||||||