State Treasurer of South Carolina · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the South Carolina state treasurer race?
No candidate in the South Carolina state treasurer race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 9, 2026. Vincent Coe (5 of 15 criteria) and Curtis Loftis (7 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Democratic
Vincent Coe
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 63
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Curtis Loftis
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 7 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- 25
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Vincent Coe
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Curtis Loftis
- Mark against2026-05-14
A state Inspector General report found program mismanagement and partial compliance with state law in the Treasurer's Office; it did not allege criminal activity.
Sources: Greenville News via Yahoo News, May 15, 2026, WIS via FOX Carolina, May 18, 2026
- Mark against2025-04-21
The state Senate voted 33 to 8 to remove him from office for willful neglect of duty over a $1.8 billion accounting error; the House did not take it up.
Sources: Associated Press via ABC News 4, April 21, 2025, WFAE, April 22, 2025
- On the record2026-05-14
Said the inspector general report found no fraud, theft, personal enrichment, criminal misconduct or malfeasance by him or his office.
- On the record2016-10-27
The State Ethics Commission publicly reprimanded him and ordered him to pay $500 for helping hire a friend who sat on his charity's board to represent his office; he said he would appeal.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. The State Ethics Commission's October 2016 reprimand and $500 payment over hiring a friend to represent his office is reported by one outlet (AP via WSPA) and is shown in the record; the order itself could not be opened.
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Vincent Coe. Says he served as a bank examiner for the FDIC and the Federal Reserve, federal civil service. No official finding of misuse found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Vincent Coe, Candidate Connection survey
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Vincent Coe. Former FDIC and Federal Reserve bank examiner and a banker with about 20 years in finance; also a small business and farm owner. Has not held elected office.
Source: Ballotpedia, Vincent Coe, Candidate Connection survey
Curtis Loftis. State treasurer since 2011, seeking a fifth term; earlier founded and ran Home Pest Control Company until 2001.
Source: Ballotpedia, Curtis Loftis
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Vincent Coe. Publishes specific plans within the treasurer's powers: a monthly public report on every account and fee, competitive bids for state banking contracts and automatic return of unclaimed money.
Source: Campaign site, The Plan
Curtis Loftis. As treasurer chairs the State Board of Financial Institutions and serves on other state finance boards.
Source: Ballotpedia, Curtis Loftis
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Vincent Coe. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022 and 2026 and publishes a detailed plan page.
Source: Ballotpedia, Vincent Coe
Curtis Loftis. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022; has not completed the 2026 survey.
Source: Ballotpedia, Curtis Loftis
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Vincent Coe. Raised in Darlington County.
Source: Campaign site, home page
Curtis Loftis. Born in Lexington County in 1958, a University of South Carolina graduate, and lives in Columbia.
Source: Ballotpedia, Curtis Loftis
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. In April 2025 the state Senate voted 33 to 8 to remove him for willful neglect of duty over a $1.8 billion accounting error; the House did not act, so he remains in office.
Sources: Associated Press via ABC News 4, April 21, 2025, WRDW, April 23, 2025
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Vincent Coe. No public record found.
Curtis Loftis. A May 2026 state Inspector General report found program mismanagement and partial compliance with state law in his office, including the master lease financing for new voting machines.
Sources: Greenville News via Yahoo News, May 15, 2026, WIS via FOX Carolina, May 18, 2026
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the South Carolina state treasurer race?
No candidate in the South Carolina state treasurer race has enough public record yet for a Ballot Standard score, as of October 9, 2026. Vincent Coe (5 of 15 criteria) and Curtis Loftis (7 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the South Carolina state treasurer race in 2026?
Vincent Coe (Democratic), Curtis Loftis (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Vincent Coe a good candidate for State Treasurer?
Vincent Coe has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Curtis Loftis a good candidate for State Treasurer?
Curtis Loftis has public evidence on 7 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every South Carolina race scored, and the South Carolina 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.