Election Results and Trends in Charleston, SC
In the last Presidential election, Charleston, SC voted predominantly Democrat, with 51.6% of voters casting their ballot for Biden, while 46.6% of voters in Charleston voted for Trump, and other parties voting 1.8%. Based on these voting patterns, Charleston is considered a slightly leaning liberal city. Specifically, it ranks 98th out of the most populated 333 cities in the United States in terms of conservatism based on the 2020 Presidential election results. Conversely, when looking at the liberal voting patterns in the 2020 election, Charleston ranks 232nd out of the 333 most populated cities, indicating a relatively low liberal vote.
Presidential Elections Voting Trend
Charleston's Presidential election trend over the last 25 years shows a gradual shift towards liberal values. While the city voted for Republicans Bob Dole (1996) and George W. Bush (2000 and 2004), the margins narrowed in subsequent elections. In 2008, the city closely sided with John McCain but shifted to support Barack Obama in 2012. Although Donald Trump narrowly carried the city in 2016, Joe Biden won in 2020. This pattern indicates a growing receptiveness to Democrat policies.
Local Elections
In local/city-level elections, Charleston has exhibited a more bipartisan approach. Long-time Mayor Joe Riley, a Democrat, served until 2016, and his successor, John Tecklenburg, is also a Democrat. However, the local political climate reflects a more conservative stance in fiscal responsibility and business development areas. City Council elections often transcend party lines, with candidates focusing on local issues rather than national political affiliations.