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Leonidas Stavrinakis

  • ️Tue Nov 08 2016

Leonidas Stavrinakis

Image of Leonidas Stavrinakis

South Carolina House of Representatives District 119

Tenure

2006 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

19

Compensation

Elections and appointments

Education

Personal

Contact

Leonidas Stavrinakis (Democratic Party) (also known as Leon) is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 119. He assumed office in 2006. His current term ends on November 9, 2026.

Stavrinakis (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the South Carolina House of Representatives to represent District 119. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Stavrinakis earned his B.A. from the College of Charleston in 1988. He went on to receive his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1992. Stavrinakis served as 9th Circuit Assistant Solicitor from 1993 to 1996. He then worked as a Prosecutor from 1993 to 2000. He has worked as an attorney for Stavrinakis Law Firm since 1996. Stavrinakis served on the Charleston County Council from 1999 to 2006. From 2005 to 2006, he served as Council Chairman.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Stavrinakis was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Stavrinakis was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Stavrinakis was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2017
Ethics
Ways and Means

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Stavrinakis served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2015
Ethics
Ways and Means

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Stavrinakis served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2013
Ethics
Ways and Means

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Stavrinakis served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2011
Judiciary

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Stavrinakis served on the following committees:

South Carolina committee assignments, 2009
Judiciary

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Leonidas Stavrinakis advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 119.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Brendan Magee advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 119.

Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Stavrinakis in this election.

2022

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Leonidas Stavrinakis advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 119.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Ken Fipps advanced from the Republican primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 119.

2020

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Leonidas Stavrinakis advanced from the Democratic primary for South Carolina House of Representatives District 119.

2018

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

Democratic primary election

Republican primary election

2016

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 14, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The primary runoff election was held on June 28, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 30, 2016.

Incumbent Leonidas Stavrinakis defeated Lee Edwards in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 119 general election.[1][2]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 119 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Leonidas Stavrinakis Incumbent 61.20% 12,146
     Republican Lee Edwards 38.80% 7,699
Total Votes 19,845
Source: South Carolina State Election Commission


Incumbent Leonidas Stavrinakis ran unopposed in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 119 Democratic primary.[3][4]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 119 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Leonidas Stavrinakis Incumbent (unopposed)


Lee Edwards ran unopposed in the South Carolina House of Representatives District 119 Republican primary.[5][6]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 119 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Lee Edwards  (unopposed)

2015

Stavrinakis ran for election for mayor of Charleston. He and John Tecklenburg advanced to a runoff after the election on November 3. Tecklenburg defeated Stavrinakis in the runoff.[7] The outgoing mayor, Joseph P. Riley Jr., was retiring after serving 10 terms since 1975.[8]

2014

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for all 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 10, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2014. Incumbent Leon Stavrinakis was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Chris Cannon defeated Ken Fipps in the Republican primary. Colin Ross ran as a Libertarian candidate. Sean Thornton (L) was defeated at convention. Stavrinakis defeated Cannon and Ross in the general election.[9][10][11]

South Carolina State House, District 119, General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngLeon Stavrinakis Incumbent 60.5% 6,676
     Republican Chris Cannon 35.9% 3,961
     Libertarian Colin Ross 3.5% 389
Total Votes 11,026
South Carolina House of Representatives, District 119 Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngChris Cannon 58.2% 1,119
Ken Fipps 41.8% 803
Total Votes 1,922

2012

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2012

Stavrinakis ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on June 12 and in the general election on November 6, 2012.[12][13]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 119, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngLeonidas Stavrinakis Incumbent 98% 12,251
     Other Write-Ins 2% 251
Total Votes 12,502

2010

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2010

Stavrinakis ran unopposed in the June 8 Democratic primary for District 119 of the South Carolina House of Representatives. Stavrinakis defeated Lee Edwards (R) in the general election on November 2.[14]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 119 (2010)
Candidates Votes Percent
Green check mark transparent.png Leonidas Stavrinakis (D) 6,693 54.81%
Lee Edwards (R) 5,510 45.12%
Write-In 8 0.07%

2008

See also: South Carolina House of Representatives elections, 2008

On November 4, 2008, Stavrinakis won re-election to the 119th District seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives, defeating Chris Cannon (R).

Stavrinakis raised $137,686 for his campaign, while Cannon raised $6,139.[15]

South Carolina House of Representatives, District 119 (2008)
Candidates Votes
Green check mark transparent.png Leonidas Stavrinakis (D) 10,432
Chris Cannon (R) 7,251

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Leonidas Stavrinakis did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Leonidas Stavrinakis did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Leonidas Stavrinakis did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary


Ballotpedia LogoNote: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in South Carolina

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of South Carolina scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].   

In 2024, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 9.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].   

In 2023, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 11.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].   

In 2022, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 12.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].   

In 2021, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 13.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].   

In 2020, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 14 to June 25. The state Senate reconvened September to September 3. Both chambers reconvened September 15 to September 24.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].   

In 2019, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 21.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].   

In 2018, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 10.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].   

In 2017, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 11.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].   

In 2016, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 12 through June 2.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth - House and Senate 2015-16 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].   

In 2015, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 13 through June 4.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored on business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth - House and Senate 2015-16 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].   

In 2014, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 14 through June 6.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth - House and Senate 2013-14 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].   

In 2013, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 20.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by the Greenville Tea Party on their votes on bills "related to jobs, spending, and freedom."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
  • South Carolina Club for Growth - House and Senate 2013-14 scorecard
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].   

In 2012, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 11 through June 7.

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by Palmetto Liberty on bills related to "limited government, the free market, and individual liberty and responsibility."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].   

In 2011, the South Carolina State Legislature was in session from January 11 through June 2. On June 2, 2011, Governor Nikki Haley (R) attempted to call the legislature into an "emergency" special session to begin on June 7 to create the new South Carolina Department of Administration. A lawsuit was filed by Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell (R), in which he contended that Haley's call for a special session was unconstitutional, and that it violated the state Constitution's requirement of separation of powers among the governor, legislature and courts.[16] On June 6, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 against Governor Haley, stating that her order violated the Legislature's ability to set its calendar and agenda. The legislature met in a special redistricting session from June 14 - July 1.[17] The legislature re-convened July 26.[18]

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental and conservation issues.
Legislators are scored by Palmetto Liberty on bills related to "limited government, the free market, and individual liberty and responsibility."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business and industry issues.
Legislators are scored by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce on their votes on bills "that directly impact the business climate and competitiveness of the state."
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.

The Palmetto Liberty PAC Scorecard

See also: Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee's Legislative Scorecard (2012)

The Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, a conservative, pro-limited government think tank in South Carolina, releases its scorecard for South Carolina representatives and senators once a year. The scorecard gives each legislator a score based on how he or she voted in the two-year legislative term prior to the election on specific issues that the Palametto Liberty PAC thinks are anti-limited government. "Most of the votes shown on the score card are votes that we lost. Now we can identify the Legislators that caused us to lose these votes. These Legislators are the ones who need to be replaced if we are to achieve the vision of having the most free state in the nation."[19]

2012

Leonidas Stavrinakis received a score of 13% in the 2012 scorecard, ranking 102nd out of all 124 South Carolina House of Representatives members.[20] His score was followed by representatives Ted Vick (13%), Thad Viers (13%), and J. David Weeks (13%).[21]

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Stavrinakis and his wife, Anne, have three children.

See also

External links

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  • Footnotes

    1. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Candidate listing for the 11/8/2016 statewide general election," accessed August 26, 2016
    2. South Carolina State Election Commission, "2016 Statewide General Election," accessed November 28, 2016
    3. South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidate Tracking," accessed March 31, 2016
    4. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Unofficial primary election results," accessed June 14, 2016
    5. South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidate Tracking," accessed March 31, 2016
    6. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Unofficial primary election results," accessed June 14, 2016
    7. postandcourier.com, "John Tecklenburg defeats Leon Stavrinakis to become Charleston’s next mayor," November 17, 2015
    8. wltx.com, "Charleston voters electing their first new mayor in 40 years," November 2, 2015
    9. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Primary Election Results," accessed June 11, 2014
    10. South Carolina State Election Commission, "Official general election results," accessed November 13, 2014
    11. South Carolina State Election Commission, "2014 Election Information," accessed March 31, 2014
    12. AP.org, "South Carolina State Senate and State House Election Results," accessed November 7, 2012
    13. South Carolina State Election Commission, "2012 Candidates," accessed April 25, 2012
    14. www.enr-scvotes.org, "2010 General Election Results," accessed May 1, 2014
    15. Follow the Money, "2008 campaign contributions," accessed May 15, 2014
    16. The State, "High court rules against Haley," June 6, 2011
    17. The Sun News, "S.C. House to have special session in June," May 6, 2011
    18. The Island Packet, "S.C. Senate OKs new congressional districted anchored in Beaufort County," June 29, 2011
    19. The Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "Voting Records," accessed April 11, 2014
    20. Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "South Carolina Senate Score Card 2012," accessed April 11, 2014
    21. 'Palmetto Liberty Political Action Committee, "South Carolina Senate Score Card 2012," accessed May 15, 2014

    Leadership

    Speaker of the House:G. Murrell Smith

    Majority Leader:Davey Hiott

    Minority Leader:James Rutherford

    Representatives

    Republican Party (88)

    Democratic Party (34)

    Vacancies (2)

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