State Sen. Wes Climer seeks SC 5th District congressional seat

Republican state Sen. Wes Climer is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in South Carolina's 5th Congressional District, which includes Fort Mill.

Climer faces Democratic candidate Mallory Dittmer and Forward Party candidate Andy Kaplan in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

On his campaign website, Climer said he was raised in South Carolina and would fight to align government services with the needs of a growing population.

Candidate information

Party: Republican
Office sought: U.S. House of Representatives, South Carolina 5th Congressional District
Current office: State senator, South Carolina Senate District 15 (since 2017)
Education: Bachelor's degree from Furman University (2006)
Born: Sept. 26, 1982, in Charlotte, according to his South Carolina Legislature biography
Family: Married Martie Behrens on May 10, 2008. Five children: Jack, Monroe, Betsy, Henry and Michael.
Church: Westminster Presbyterian Church, according to Climer's iVoterGuide profile
Other: Eagle Scout

Experience and public service

Climer has served in the South Carolina State Senate representing District 15 since 2017, according to BallotReady profile data. He previously served as chairman of the York County Republican Party, the Herald Online reported. He has also worked as a financial advisor.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Climer's campaign policy page and his iVoterGuide candidate responses. All statements reflect the candidate's own claims.

Education: Climer said he supports abolishing the federal Department of Education. He said education funding should follow the child, allowing parents to choose public, private or homeschool options. He said he would fight for parental rights and return control of education to parents and local communities.

Taxes and spending: Climer said he would vote to cut federal spending and block tax hikes. He said he supports reforms to dismantle what he called entrenched bureaucracies and would push for transparency on government spending.

Border security: Climer called the open border a national crisis. He said he supports building a border wall, reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy, defunding sanctuary cities and stopping fentanyl and human trafficking.

Energy: Climer said nuclear, natural gas and, to a lesser extent, coal and hydro are essential for reliable energy generation. He said he opposes stricter environmental laws that he said cost jobs and undermine U.S. energy independence.

Gun rights: Climer said no restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety. He said he supports allowing teachers to carry guns at school with proper training.