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Tom Fernandez
Member of the South Carolina Senate
from the 39th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2024
Preceded byVernon Stephens
Personal details
PartyRepublican
ProfessionAttorney

Tom Fernandez is an American politician. He has been a member of the South Carolina Senate, representing the 39th District, since 2024 and is a member of the Republican Party.

Background

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Fernandez spent his youth on a farm in Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Coastal Carolina University, a Juris Doctor from Charleston School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel.[1] He has been a board member of Central Berkeley Fire & EMS since 2023.[2]

In 2021, Fernandez received a $315,000 settlement from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). Fernandez brought suit against the agency for violating his First Amendment rights when they deleted his comment and blocked him on their Facebook page. After paying his attorney fees, he donated the remainder of the settlement to the Whitesville Rural Fire Department.[3]

Political career

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2018 State House race

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Fernandez challenged Republican incumbent Sylleste Davis in 2018 for a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives, losing in the Republican primary.[4][5]

2024 State Senate race

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On March 28, 2024, Fernandez filed to run for State Senate seat 39.[6] He defeated Democratic incumbent Vernon Stephens to flip the Senate seat.[7][8][9][10]

Member of the State Senate

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Fernandez serves on the Senate Corrections and Penology, Education, Family and Veterans' Services, Judiciary and Medical Affairs committees.[11]

In 2025, Fernandez voted against confirming Dr. Edward Simmer to lead the South Carolina Department of Public Health because Simmer had strongly recommended that people take COVID vaccines during the COVID pandemic and because he wore a face mask to protect his immunocompromised wife.[12]

On June 14, 2025, Fernandez was filmed honking his horn and making obscene gestures while driving by a No Kings protest in Summerville, South Carolina. Fernandez said his behavior was in response to "heckling" from protesters.[13][14]

On November 18, 2025, Fernandez voted in favor of Senate Bill 323, which sought to make abortion in South Carolina a felony punishable up to 30 years in prison and remove exceptions for sexual assault, incest, and fetal anomalies.[15] The bill failed to secure the senatorial support needed to advance.

References

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  1. ^ "Tom Fernandez launches SC Senate campaign". WCBD News 2. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  2. ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  3. ^ "Berkeley County man who filed lawsuit against SCDOT to give settlement money to Whitesville Fire Department". WCBD News 2. 2021-04-08. Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  4. ^ Erickson, Joseph (2023-05-24). "Berkeley County lawyer launches campaign for South Carolina Senate seat". WCIV. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  5. ^ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  6. ^ "South Carolina Senate Candidate Files For Office Wearing Gas Mask - FITSNews". 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  7. ^ Connaughton, Kevin (2024-11-05). "Republican challenger unseats Democrat in SC Senate 39 race". WISTV. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  8. ^ "Fernandez, Holman flip seats to advance to SC Statehouse". WCBD News 2. 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  9. ^ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  10. ^ Writer, GENE ZALESKI T&D Staff (2024-11-06). "UPDATED - Fernandez defeats Senator Stephens - Govan, Bamberg win House races; Hutto, Ott win in Senate". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  11. ^ "South Carolina Legislature Online - Committee". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  12. ^ "Nominee for South Carolina's top doctor toppled by lingering COVID anger". AP News. 2025-04-03.
  13. ^ "State Senator spotted blowing horn, making obscene gestures at constituents protesting". ABC4 News. 2025-06-14.
  14. ^ Wladyka/Provided, Bernadette (2025-06-18). "Sen. Tom Fernandez". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  15. ^ Laird, Skylar (2025-11-19). "Senators reject SC abortion ban proposal touted as strictest nationwide • SC Daily Gazette". SC Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
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