Russell Ott

THANK YOU!!!

Excited to announce this great opportunity for folks to come and meet Democratic statewide candidates! More details to follow.

Alright Midlands! Nearly $5 million raised for Midlands Gives Day 2026 to support our local charities. Had a great time at Segra Park for the Elected Officials Challenge and appreciate the donation made by the Central Carolina Community Foundation to the Calhoun Players the non profit that I chose this year. If you’re interested in local history check out Calhoun Players special production for S.C. 250 Freedom Fighters of Calhoun County. youtube.com/watch?v=5b3Bmi…

Did y’all know we have a Calhoun County horse in the Kentucky Derby today? Ocelli is part-owned by Ashley and Travis Durr. Travis also trained Ocelli right here in St. Matthews. At 50-1 odds, I’d love to take that bet and so would a lot of other people. How long are South Carolinians gonna wait before a handful of Senators stop blocking our ability to bet on horse races and other forms of gaming? We work hard for our money and if we want to bet on a race or a game the government shouldn’t tell us we can’t!

Honored to be in the company of a true American hero, Staff Sgt. Phillip Bruce Cook. After graduating from Swansea High School, he joined the US Army Air Corps and fought for our country in the skies above Europe as a B-17 ball-turret gunner during World War II. He was recently knighted by the government of France, receiving the prestigious Legion of Honor award for his bravery and service. What struck me most about Mr. Bruce was his sincere humbleness, pride, and love for his family. We all owe a debt of gratitude to him for fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Geno don’t want the smoke!

@RustyMay14 No sir. It only calls for one extension. If it’s extended for the second 30, that would be it. It would take additional legislation to do anything else.

@SenRussellOtt Ok, it’s a start. Not sure about the trigger though… almost seems like if we can leave it open ended, maybe we don’t “need” the tax after all - that would be the perception

I’m filing legislation to suspend the state gas tax for 30 days to provide relief for families and businesses. We need to do what we can, when we can. amp.thestate.com/news/politics-…

@ChrisWaddell85 No. We can can use reserve accounts to compensate for 30/60 day pause. That’s what contingency funds can and should be used for…when unforeseen situations arise that need to be addressed.

@SenRussellOtt Will this reduce the miles of road that get repaved by SCDOT this year? I believe the gas tax goes 100% to repaving.

@RustyMay14 Questions are good! -It does include diesel -I’m suggesting we back fill the DOT with our reserve accounts (contingency or capital accounts) -the resolution calls for 30 days but has an automatic extension of 30 days IF prices haven’t decreased 15% (around 50 cents)

@SenRussellOtt Will it include diesel as well? Will there be revenue replacement or will it be revenue lost? Why 30 days? Why not 60? I have questions… lol. I support it though 100%.

@Fan98Makit75442 Correct

@SenRussellOtt Hey Russell would that be about $0.28 per gallon?

Statement from Senator Russell Ott on Proposed Gas Tax Suspension

This is a reminder to remain vigilant when it comes to "Unpaid Ticket" and "Overdue Traffic Fine" scam texts. Please remember that SCDMV does not send texts to collect on unpaid tickets or tolls. Don't let a fake text redirect you or your money elsewhere.

The Senate passed what I believe is a balanced approach to the sale of hemp products in our state. I am proud that Democratic Senators were able to work together to prevent some in the Republican supermajority from enacting a total ban and instead forced them to negotiate a solution that protects our small businesses and consumer freedom. Because of our refusal to back down, THC beverages will continue to be available in local grocery and convenience stores while gummies and higher concentration THC beverages can be accessed at liquor stores. Throughout this debate, I have heard from many people with many differing opinions. Some believe that there should be a total ban and some believe we should have no restrictions at all. Neither approach made sense to me. The vast majority of people I spoke with wanted to make sure kids didn’t have access to these products, but insisted that government should let adults make their own decisions. This is what I advocated for over the last several months through subcommittee, full committee, and the floor debate. These efforts ensure our local businesses can remain open and profitable while our consumers can continue to be able to get the products they rely on to treat pain, reduce alcohol use, and improve their quality of life. The bill now goes back to the House.

The Senate is entering into the second week of debate on the regulation of hemp-based THC drinks and gummies. Federal provisions mean these products can be (and are being) legally sold here in SC. We have to pass a strong bill that sets a 21+ age verification requirement, limits where the products can be sold, and sets limits on how much THC is allowed in them. This legislation does not address marijuana, the use of which remains illegal in SC. While it is still possible a federal ban on Hemp-THC could go into effect later this year, it is imperative that we do what we can now to keep these products out of the hands of our kids and to set guidelines and regulations for appropriate and safe use by adults. Check out the legislation here: scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2… And stream the action on the Senate floor all session long on this and other important issues here: scstatehouse.gov/video/chamber.…

It’s encouraging to see students getting involved, and it’s important that we make them feel welcome when they do. Appreciate our many schools, parents, and volunteers that make time to introduce them to state government.

St. Patrick’s Day in Five Points! Always great to meet with constituents — this time, more than 50,000 of them in one place!

@RKirbySC Lake city, the Pee Dee, and S.C. as a whole couldn’t ask for anyone better than you @RKirbySC. Proud to work beside you, bud.

GREAT to welcome the SC Sporting Dog Association to the ROB in Lake City this evening! It was a PACKED HOUSE with sportsmen and dignitaries from across South Carolina! My good friend Sen Russell Ott was given the Service Award for his work to protect these traditions! ✅

Busy day today! Started out in Columbia to join the @RichlandSCDems for their convention and it was great to see so many friends there. Then I went to Lake City to receive the SC Sporting Dog Association Distinguished Service Award — honored to receive an award from a group that works hard to support a tradition that runs deep in our state.

We’ve all been hearing a lot about data centers recently, whether it’s in Spartanburg or the ACE Basin or any number of communities across South Carolina. Banning the construction of data centers in our state is not a realistic option nor is allowing the unchecked expansion of these facilities. When we are able to fully ensure that data centers in South Carolina will not put undue pressure on our natural resources, like water, that they will not add any increased cost to South Carolinians’ power bills, and that they can operate in a way that is not disruptive to the surrounding communities, then they can be a valuable part of our state’s continued economic growth. There are two major bills under consideration in the Senate to manage the development of these projects. I have been appointed to both subcommittees dealing with data centers and as we work through these complex issues, I want to hear from you so we can come up with the best plan possible.