Russell Ott Explained

Russell Ott
State House:	South Carolina
District:	93rd
Term Start:	October 29, 2013
Predecessor:	Harry L. Ott, Jr.
Birth Place:	St. Matthews, South Carolina
Alma Mater:	Clemson University University of South Carolina
Parents:	Harry L. Ott, Jr.

Russell L. Ott is an American lobbyist and politician from the state of South Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the Representative for the 93rd district of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Early life

Ott is a native of St. Matthews, South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor's degree in English. He received his Master of Public Administration from the University of South Carolina. He has served as a member and state convention delegate for the Calhoun County Democratic Party. Ott worked as a lobbyist for the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation for eight years.^[1]

Political career

Harry L. Ott, Jr., Russell's father, represented the 93rd district in the South Carolina House of Representatives, but resigned on June 30, 2013, to take a job with the Farm Service Agency. Russell declared his candidacy in the October 29 special election to fill the remainder of his father's term.^[2] He won the election, defeating Republican Charles Stoudemire.^[3] In the 2022 general election, Russell won re-election against Republican challenger Jim Ulmer.^[4]

Ott serves on the House Legislative Oversight and the Labor, Commerce and Industry Committees.^[5] He is a former ^[6] Assistant Minority Leader of the House.

On February 13, 2024, Ott announced his candidacy for State Senate District 26 seat, currently held by incumbent Senator Nikki G. Setzler, who is not running for re-election.^[7] State Senator Dick Harpootlian, whose seat was put in the same District as Setzler after re-districting, also announced for the seat.^{[8] [9]} The primary race between Ott and Harpootlian generated headlines. Ott was endorsed by St. Matthews Mayor Helen Carson-Peterson. Harpootlian was endorsed by Congressman Jim Clyburn and former State Representative Bakari Sellers. ^{[10] [11]} Ultimately, Ott beat Harpootlian in the primary election by 51%.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Russell Ott To Run For SC House . FITSNews . October 30, 2013.
2. Web site: Beam . Adam . COLUMBIA, SC: SC legislator's son wants to replace his father in House | Politics . The State . July 9, 2013 . October 30, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131031233212/http://www.thestate.com/2013/07/09/2854765/sc-legislators-son-wants-to-replace.html . October 31, 2013 . mdy-all .
3. Web site: The_State . ST. MATTHEWS, SC: Democrat tops Republican in SC House dist. 93 special election | Politics . The State . March 27, 2009 . October 30, 2013.
4. News: Bowen . Jim . October 19, 2022 . "Vote 2022: 3 Races for SC House in Lexington County Are Competitive" . The Lexington Chronicle . November 18, 2022.
5. House Standing Committees". South Carolina Legislature. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
6. Web site: 2022 . Our Leadership . December 13, 2022 . South Carolina House Democratic Caucus.
7. News: Parrilla-Guerrero . Mayra . February 13, 2024 . State Representative Russell Ott announces candidacy for State Senate District 26 . February 15, 2024 . WIS-TV.
8. News: Brams . Sophie . January 11, 2024 . Democrat Dick Harpootlian to seek re-election to South Carolina Senate . February 15, 2024 . WCBD-TV.
9. Kokes, Kailee (February 13, 2024). "Ott, Harpootlian to square off for state Senate nom after Setzler's retirement". Lexington County Chronicle. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
10. Bustos, Joseph (May 29, 2024). "Who's a true Democrat? Harpootlian and Ott trade barbs in SC Senate primary". The State Newspaper. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
11. Neville, Nick (May 20, 2024). "Harpootlian, Ott face off in spirited, contentious SC Senate District 26 forum". WIS-TV. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
12. News: Thompson . Alexander . June 11, 2024 . Russell Ott ousts Murdaugh attorney Dick Harpootlian in SC Senate primary . live . June 12, 2024 . The Post and Courier}.