Nathan Ballentine will run unopposed in November after defeating newcomer Paul Erickson for the District 71 seat. Ballentine has held the seat for 18 years.
When Representative Chip Huggins announced he would not seek a new term for House District 85 after 23 years of service four candidates vying for the seat. Businessman Jay Kilmartin handily defeated the three opponents which included two District Five school board members and a lawyer.
Incumbents took the forefront in Tuesday’s primary election with an exception in the US House 7 congressional district seeing long-time incumbent Tom Rice defeated by Russell Fry. Rice was one of the few republicans that voted to impeach President Donald Trump while Fry was endorsed by Trump last year.
Republican Governor Henry McMaster will face Democrat Joe Cunningham in November to maintain his hold on South Carolina. McMaster easily defeated newcomer Harrison Musselwhite in Tuesday’s primary election. Democrat Cunningham defeated state Senator Mia McLeod who placed second in the contest.
US Senator Tim Scott ran unopposed. In the US House races Joe Wilson, Jeff Duncan and Ralph Norman were also unopposed.
Attorney General Alan Wilson took the nomination for another term over Lauren Martel who was seeking medical changes and eliminating mandates. There were no democrats seeking that position.
Mark Hammond will take the nomination again for Secretary of State ousting Keith Blanford.
After Superintendent of Education, Molly Spears announced she wouldn’t seek re-election a crowded field emerged vying for that nomination. She endorsed Kathy Maness but Ellen Weaver came in second over Bryan Chapman, Lynda Leventis-Wells, Kizzi Gibson and Travis Bedson.
The results will be a run-off in two weeks with Kathy Maness against Ellen Weaver.
Lisa Ellis and Gary Burgess will be in a runoff for the Dems.
