Zais Heads To Runoff in Superintendent Race
A former federal education official has won the Democratic nomination to be South Carolina's superintendent of education. Republicans will need a runoff to choose their nominee.
Greenville attorney Frank Holleman defeated college dean Tom Thompson on Tuesday in the Democratic primary.
Holleman served as chief of staff and deputy U.S. secretary of education under former South Carolina Gov. Dick Riley, who was President Bill Clinton's education secretary.
Newberry College President Mick Zais is advancing to a June 22 runoff on the Republican side. His opponent was not immediately known.
The other Republicans include homeschooling mother Elizabeth Moffly.
The candidates are vying to succeed Jim Rex, who lost a Democratic gubernatorial bid Tuesday.
Unemployed Vet Wins Senate Dem Nomination
An unemployed military veteran has stunned South Carolina Democratic Party leaders by winning the nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint.
Thirty-two-year-old Alvin Greene of Manning defeated 64-year-old Vic Rawl of Charleston in Tuesday's primary. Rawl is a former judge and legislator, who had about $186,000 cash available and had already scheduled a fundraising event for Thursday.
Greene raised no money in the contest, had no signs and no website.
Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler says she hasn't seen Greene since he filed to run. She says Greene will be a much weaker candidate than Rawl going into November against tea party favorite DeMint.
She says people who didn't know either candidate and voted alphabetically may help explain Greene's win.
Eckstrom Wins GOP Nod For Comptroller General
Richard Eckstrom has won the Republican primary as he seeks a third term as comptroller general.
Eckstrom defeated Greenville certified public accountant Mike Meilinger in Tuesday's GOP primary.
He will face Democrat Robert Barber in November.
The comptroller general is a low-profile job that in many states is appointed by the governor. Responsibilities include making sure the state's books are in balance and reviewing expenses and bills submitted for payment.
The position comes with a seat on the state's five-member financial oversight panel that handles state spending and contract decisions.
The governor heads that panel.
-- AP
Latest Winners According To AP
U.S. Senate
Alvin Greene, Dem
U.S. Senate
Jim DeMint (i), GOP
Governor
Vincent Sheheen, Dem
Governor
Gresham Barrett, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Nikki Haley, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Lieutenant Governor
Ashley Cooper, Dem
Lieutenant Governor
Ken Ard, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Bill Connor, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Secretary of State
Marjorie Johnson, Dem
Secretary of State
Mark Hammond (i), GOP
Treasurer
Curtis Loftis, GOP
Attorney General
Matthew Richardson, Dem
Attorney General
Leighton Lord, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Alan Wilson, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Comptroller General
Robert Barber, Dem
Comptroller General
Richard Eckstrom (i), GOP
Supt of Education
Frank Holleman, Dem
Supt of Education
Mick Zais, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Adjutant General
Bob Livingston, GOP
Agriculture Commissioner
Tom Elliott, Dem
Agriculture Commissioner
Hugh Weathers (i), GOP
U.S. House - District 1
Ben Frasier, Dem
U.S. House - District 1
Tim Scott, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Paul Thurmond, GOP -- Advances to runoff
U.S. House - District 2
Rob Miller, Dem
U.S. House - District 2
Joe Wilson (i), GOP
U.S. House - District 3
Jane Dyer, Dem
U.S. House - District 3
Richard Cash, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Jeff Duncan, GOP -- Advances to runoff
U.S. House - District 4
Paul Corden, Dem
U.S. House - District 4
Trey Gowdy, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Bob Inglis (i), GOP -- Advances to runoff
U.S. House - District 5
John Spratt (i), Dem
U.S. House - District 5
Mick Mulvaney, GOP
U.S. House - District 6
Jim Clyburn (i), Dem
U.S. House - District 6
Nancy Harrelson, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Jim Pratt, GOP -- Advances to runoff
State House - District 1
Bill Whitmire (i), GOP
State House - District 2
Bill Sandifer (i), GOP
State House - District 3
B.R. Skelton (i), GOP
State House - District 4
David Hiott (i), GOP
State House - District 5
Phil Owens (i), GOP
State House - District 6
Brian White (i), GOP
State House - District 7
Michael Gambrell (i), GOP
State House - District 8
Tom Dobbins, Dem
State House - District 8
Don Bowen (i), GOP
State House - District 9
Anne Thayer, GOP
State House - District 10
Dan Cooper (i), GOP
State House - District 11
Paul Agnew (i), Dem
State House - District 12
Anne Parks (i), Dem
State House - District 12
Jennings McAbee, GOP
State House - District 13
Michael Gaskin, Dem
State House - District 13
Gene Pinson (i), GOP
State House - District 14
Mike Pitts (i), GOP
State House - District 15
David Tribble, GOP
State House - District 16
Mark Willis (i), GOP
State House - District 17
Stephen Salter, Dem
State House - District 17
Tom Corbin, GOP
State House - District 18
Tommy Stringer (i), GOP
State House - District 19
Dwight Loftis (i), GOP
State House - District 20
Dan Hamilton (i), GOP
State House - District 21
William Wylie (i), GOP
State House - District 22
Joe Waters, Dem
State House - District 22
Wendy Nanney (i), GOP
State House - District 23
Chandra Dillard (i), Dem
State House - District 23
Tom Kolarik, GOP
State House - District 24
D.C. Swinton, Dem
State House - District 24
Bruce Bannister (i), GOP
State House - District 25
Karl Allen (i), Dem
State House - District 26
Judy Gilstrap, Dem
State House - District 26
Eric Bikas, GOP
State House - District 27
Garry Smith (i), GOP
State House - District 28
Ines Alvarez, Dem
State House - District 28
Eric Bedingfield (i), GOP
State House - District 29
Dennis Moss (i), GOP
State House - District 30
Steve Moss (i), GOP
State House - District 31
Harold Mitchell (i), Dem
State House - District 32
Derham Cole (i), GOP
State House - District 33
Eddie Tallon, GOP
State House - District 34
Mike Forrester (i), GOP
State House - District 35
Tom Davies, Dem
State House - District 35
Bill Chumley, GOP
State House - District 36
Rita Allison (i), GOP
State House - District 37
Delores Frazer, Dem
State House - District 37
Steve Parker (i), GOP
State House - District 38
John Lewis, Dem
State House - District 38
Doug Brannon, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Joey Millwood (i), GOP -- Advances to runoff
State House - District 39
Marion Frye (i), GOP -- Advances to runoff
Ralph Kennedy, GOP -- Advances to runoff
State House - District 40
Walt McLeod (i), Dem
State House - District 42
Mike Anthony (i), Dem
State House - District 42
Randall English, GOP
State House - District 43
Greg Delleney (i), GOP
State House - District 44
Jimmy Neal (i), Dem
State House - District 44
Rob McCoy, GOP
State House - District 45
Mary Bernsdorff, Dem
State House - District 45
Deborah Long (i), GOP
State House - District 46
Holly Cooper, Dem
State House - District 46
Gary Simrill (i), GOP
State House - District 47
Herb Kirsh (i), Dem
State House - District 47
Tommy Pope, GOP
State House - District 48
Ralph Norman (i), GOP
State House - District 49
John King (i), Dem
State House - District 50
Grady Brown (i), Dem
State House - District 51
David Weeks (i), Dem
State House - District 52
Laurie Funderburk (i), Dem
State House - District 53
Ted Vick (i), Dem
State House - District 54
Elizabeth Munnerlyn, Dem
State House - District 55
Jackie Hayes (i), Dem
State House - District 56
Denny Neilson (i), Dem
State House - District 57
Jim Battle (i), Dem
State House - District 58
Butch Johnson, Dem
State House - District 58
Liston Barfield (i), GOP
State House - District 59
Terry Alexander (i), Dem
State House - District 60
Benny Webb, Dem
State House - District 60
Phillip Lowe (i), GOP
State House - District 61
Lester Branham (i), Dem
State House - District 62
Robert Williams (i), Dem
State House - District 63
Sheila Gallagher, Dem
State House - District 63
Kris Crawford (i), GOP
State House - District 64
Cathy Harvin (i), Dem
State House - District 65
Jay Lucas (i), GOP
State House - District 66
Gilda Cobb-Hunter (i), Dem
State House - District 67
Murrell Smith (i), GOP
State House - District 68
Thad Viers (i), GOP
State House - District 69
Jan Crangle, Dem
State House - District 69
Danny Frazier, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Rick Quinn, GOP -- Advances to runoff
State House - District 70
Joe Neal (i), Dem
State House - District 71
Nathan Ballentine (i), GOP
State House - District 72
James Smith (i), Dem
State House - District 73
Chris Hart (i), Dem
State House - District 74
J. Todd Rutherford (i), Dem
State House - District 75
Jim Harrison (i), GOP
State House - District 76
Leon Howard (i), Dem
State House - District 77
Joe McEachern (i), Dem
State House - District 78
Paige George, Dem
State House - District 78
Joan Brady (i), GOP
State House - District 79
Anton Gunn (i), Dem
State House - District 79
Sheri Few, GOP
State House - District 80
Jimmy Bales (i), Dem
State House - District 81
Tom Young (i), GOP
State House - District 82
Bill Clyburn (i), Dem
State House - District 83
Bill Hixon, GOP
State House - District 84
J. Roland Smith (i), GOP
State House - District 85
Jim Nelson, Dem
State House - District 85
Chip Huggins (i), GOP
State House - District 86
Bill Taylor, GOP
State House - District 87
Pete Oliver, Dem
State House - District 87
Todd Atwater, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Jerry Howard, GOP -- Advances to runoff
State House - District 88
Mac Toole (i), GOP
State House - District 89
Kenny Bingham (i), GOP
State House - District 90
Bakari Sellers (i), Dem
State House - District 91
Lonnie Hosey (i), Dem
State House - District 91
Ben Kinlaw, GOP
State House - District 92
Joe Daning (i), GOP
State House - District 93
Harry Ott (i), Dem
State House - District 93
Charles Stoudemire, GOP
State House - District 94
Jenny Horne (i), GOP
State House - District 95
Jerry Govan (i), Dem
State House - District 96
Kit Spires (i), GOP
State House - District 97
Patsy Knight (i), Dem
State House - District 98
Christine Jackson, Dem
State House - District 98
Chris Murphy, GOP
State House - District 99
Jim Merrill (i), GOP
State House - District 100
C. David Umphlett (i), GOP
State House - District 101
Ronnie Sabb, Dem
State House - District 101
Barbara Mishoe, GOP
State House - District 102
Joe Jefferson (i), Dem
State House - District 102
Joseph Caplinger, GOP
State House - District 103
Carl Anderson (i), Dem
State House - District 104
Charles Randall, Dem
State House - District 104
Tracy Edge (i), GOP
State House - District 105
George Hearn (i), GOP
State House - District 107
Alan Clemmons (i), GOP
State House - District 108
Vida Miller (i), Dem
State House - District 108
Kevin Ryan, GOP
State House - District 109
David Mack (i), Dem
State House - District 110
Chip Limehouse (i), GOP
State House - District 111
Wendell Gilliard (i), Dem
State House - District 112
Mike Sottile (i), GOP
State House - District 113
J. Seth Whipper (i), Dem
State House - District 114
Bobby Harrell (i), GOP
State House - District 115
Anne Hutto (i), Dem
State House - District 115
Peter McCoy, GOP
State House - District 116
Robert Brown (i), Dem
State House - District 116
Sean Pike, GOP
State House - District 117
Bill Crosby, GOP -- Advances to runoff
Jimmy Hinson, GOP -- Advances to runoff
State House - District 118
Bill Herbkersman (i), GOP
State House - District 119
Leon Stavrinakis (i), Dem
State House - District 119
Lee Edwards, GOP
State House - District 120
Bill Bowers (i), Dem
State House - District 120
Dan Lawrence, GOP
State House - District 121
Kenneth Hodges (i), Dem
State House - District 122
Curtis Brantley (i), Dem
State House - District 123
Richard Chalk (i), GOP -- Advances to runoff
Andy Patrick, GOP -- Advances to runoff
State House - District 124
Shannon Erickson (i), GOP
GOP Question - 1-Healthcare Resolution
Yes,
GOP Question - 2-Spending Resolution
Yes
SC GOP Voters: 'Yes' On Primary Ballot Questions
Voters in South Carolina's Republican primary have overwhelmingly voiced their anger over President Barack Obama's health care plans and high state government spending.
Tuesday's Republican ballot asked voters two "advisory questions" on whether legislators should oppose the new health care law and limit spending.
State GOP leaders weren't surprised at the results.
Party executive director Joel Sawyer has said the questions were put on the ballot to serve two purposes: to prompt action from legislators and to increase turnout.
-- AP
Joe Wilson Thanks Supporters After Win
Joe Wilson, after the AP declared him the winner Tuesday, thanked his supporters.
"I am so grateful to my family, Roxanne and so many of the hard-working volunteers and campaign staff who made this victory tonight possible," Wilson said. "I always maintain this is the people's seat, and I am honored to have earned support from so many folks who don't want more of the same big government takeovers from Washington liberals."
-- From press release
Clyburn Wins
House Majority Whip James Clyburn has easily defeated his challenger in the Democratic primary in South Carolina's 6th District.
Businessman Gregory Brown was the first primary challenger for Clyburn since 2002. The 69-year-old congressman has held the seat for 18 years.
Clyburn will face Tuesday's winner of a three-way race for the Republican nomination in November for South Carolina's only black-majority congressional district. He is the highest-ranking African-American in Congress.
Clyburn defeated Republican challenger Nancy Harrelson in 2008 in the district, which includes parts of Columbia and Charleston and rural areas in between.
-- By the AP
Officials: Turnout Low To Moderate In SC Primaries
Officials say voter turnout in South Carolina's primary elections has been mostly moderate across the state but heavier in traditional Republican strongholds.
State Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire says that officials reported heavy turnout Tuesday in Greenville and Lexington counties.
Polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday and closed 12 hours later.
Voters were whittling a field of seven candidates for governor and setting up the November race for a U.S. Senate seat.
The primary is pivotal for three congressional elections. Four other statewide offices - state schools chief, state attorney general, treasurer and comptroller general - were on the ballot.
Any runoff elections will be held June 22.
-- Reporting by the AP
Voters Show Up Despite Sometimes Ugly Campaign
After months of sometimes ugly campaigning voters are still going to the polls to choose a new governor.
Most of the attention in the race for governor has been on the Republicans, because there are four of them running compared to three Democrats.
And the Republicans already control the House, Senate and Governor's office.
There have also been the allegations about Nikki Haley and charges of dirty politics.
But as far as the voters are concerned, this is about picking a new leader for the state.
Even though our constitution means we have a relatively weak governor whoever holds that office still has a lot of influence.
For one thing there's the veto power that keeps the legislature from calling all the shots.
And USC political scientist Dr. Robert Oldendick said the governor also has influence over what the state will focus on.
"So while we generally think of this as a weak-governor state, certainly the governor has some power in terms of setting the agenda and setting the tone for the state,” Oldendick said.
The governor's race is important to the voters News Channel 7 talked to because the governor is the top executive in the state who decides the direction for the state.
Voter Mary Ann Smarr of Columbia says the governor's race is important to her, "Because that person has to be strong enough to stand up for what they believe."
Turnout has been low to moderate in most places, according to the State Election Commission, but it has been moderate to heavy in some counties and precincts.
Oldendick says it's likely that turnout has been lower in the Democratic primary since most of the attention has been on the controversial Republican race.
Columbia voter Harvey Teal says despite the state having a weak governor's office, the person in that office can have a big impact on the issues.
"They can make a difference by originating the budget, by making budget recommendations, by using the press, by using their influence with individual legislators," he says.
Rocky Start Begins Election In Greenville
The problems in Greenville County voting locations are cleared up.
One polling place opened late and at another – the Kilgore Farms precinct – a poll worker locked the election materials in her car accidently.
Two polling placed opened on the sidewalk instead of the building they were supposed to be in because the buildings were locked.
Other counties have reported no problems with their machines.
Watch wspa.com for updates.
-- reporting by Carmen Coursey
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