CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Results are in for South Carolina's primary election.
Higher turnout broke records for races
Early voting turnout broke records this cycle, with more than 20,000 ballots being cast in Charleston County alone. Tuesday's election included several key races, including those for governor, attorney general and U.S. Senate.
The race included 17 candidates across both parties, creating one of the largest primaries in the state.
Live election results are available here.
Evette and Wilson to face runoff
In her victory speech, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette thanked her family and contrasted herself with Alan Wilson. She highlighted similarities between herself and Trump, saying voters want a business leader, not a career politician.
“If you want someone who has bankrolled his radical corporate donors who spew DEI, then Alan Wilson is your guy,†Evette said. “But if you want a business leader, a CEO and someone who has spent their career outside of politics, I am asking for your vote.â€
Evette took aim at what she called radical institutions, promised to end tenure and pledged to fix roads and fully support school choice.
Her runoff opponent also spoke Tuesday night.
Wilson told his supporters to get a good night's sleep and get ready to get busy one more time. He said the next two weeks will be crucial as they head into the runoff election.
He invited the supporters of the other candidates in the race who didn't make it to the runoff to come on board with him.
“There is a home for you here in the Wilson campaign,†Wilson said. “I will fight for you. And I invite all of you who… I wasn't your first choice [tonight]. I'm willing to be your second choice tomorrow morning.â€
Wilson asked supporters of other candidates to give him the chance to fight for them and the ideals they found valuable in those other candidates.
“Let me be that standard bearer for you. I will carry that for you in the next two weeks,†Wilson said.
Wilson said he is humbled by the confidence voters have put in him and he is ready to lead the state.
Lacore enters runoff against Deford
Supporters of Nancy Lacore gathered to watch primary election results come in for the Democratic nomination for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District.
Supporters said backing Lacore was a clear choice, pointing to her 35 years of military experience as proof she is ready to serve.
Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie attended the watch party and encouraged others to support Lacore.
Lacore said her top priorities are tackling the affordability crisis, protecting the constitution and environment, and putting people over politics.
“They're not partisan issues,†Lacore said. “Everybody is hurting financially right now with the cost of living. It's not just Democrats, it's Republicans, independents, you name it. Same it for like taking care of our military and our veterans and our first responders and teachers. Everybody should be focused on that and focused on protecting our home here, South Carolina.â€
Deford, who will face Lacore in the June 23 runoff, also spoke to supporters. Deford is a Mount Pleasant native and, like Lacore, was one of seven running in the Democratic congressional race. Although the state has steadily shifted toward Republicans in elections, he is hoping things take a turn this election season.
Deford differentiates himself as a Coast Guard veteran and former local government attorney who is running on a message of practical problem-solving and government accountability. He said voters are paying more for essentials while receiving less from the government and he says he is hoping to change that.
“I think that somebody who just moved here a few months ago is not well-suited to represent us when they're still trying to get the lay of the land,†Deford said. “I have worked on the issues in local government. I've served here in the Coast Guard. I know our port. I know our infrastructure needs. I know the fact that we've got housing, you know, cost of living crisis, especially with housing. I know that the Gullah Geechee community is really struggling with heirs' properties issues. All things that I've worked on, and I'm ready to get to work for people in this district.â€
During his speech, he thanked all his opponents and said he is looking forward to showing the Lowcountry all the reasons why he deserves to represent the first congressional district.
GOP candidates also slated for runoff in SC-01 race
Jenny Costa Honeycutt emerged as the top finisher in a crowded Republican field, but with no candidate clearing the majority threshold, she will face Mark Smith in a runoff election.
The Charleston County councilmember built her campaign around affordability, arguing that Lowcountry families are facing rising costs and need leaders focused on keeping the region affordable.
She also highlighted fiscal responsibility, pointing to her experience helping balance budgets during her time on Charleston County Council.
“In Congress and for the Lowcountry, I will work tirelessly for you to restore fiscal responsibility, lower costs, protect our freedoms, secure the border, support America first, and preserve the Lowcountry way of life,†Honeycutt said.
Mark Smith finished second with about 12,000 votes, which totaled to be about 20 percent.
Smith said he and his team won't stop working hard.
Smith celebrated with friends, family and people from the community. He said that he just wanted to take a pause and celebrate his campaign.
Smith listed his goals if he gets the chance to represent the Lowcountry in Washington.
“We're going to focus specifically on like what we've done here to continue to have health care, freedom, and access with repealing of the certificate of need,†Smith said. “We got to get serious about our health care needs here in South Carolina and we need to address that issue nationwide. And also you can't think about all the growth and development we're having here and not think about the energy independence that President Trump talks about on the federal level.â€
Johnson wins Democratic Primary
State Rep. Jermaine Johnson became the Democratic nominee for governor Monday night, making him the second African American nominee for governor in South Carolina history.
The last African American nominee for governor was in the 1990s.
Johnson was emotional as he made remarks on stage. He spoke about his challenging upbringing and how his story serves as an example for young people to follow their dreams.
“I went to seven different high schools. My brother was murdered. I lost another brother in a car accident in 2015,†Johnson said. “I never thought in 1 million years that I would be standing here as the nominee for the governor of South Carolina, and this is an example to young people and people all over the state that their past doesn't define their future, that they don't have to have the most perfect upbringing and they can do anything they want to do.â€
Johnson spent the day touring the state, making more than 10 stops. He represents House District 52 and said he spends his time at the state house working to solve problems.
In his first term, he passed a bill to lower sales tax for seniors, worked to get a bridge repaired that has been closed for more than a decade and widened broadband access. Johnson is also supporting construction for an emergency medical center in Richland.
Johnson's policies center around infrastructure, education and affordability. He will wait to face the winner of the Republican candidate for governor.
Mace concedes governor race, endorses Wilson in runoff
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace conceded the Republican gubernatorial primary Monday night and endorsed Attorney General Alan Wilson in the runoff against Lt. Gov. Pam Evette.
Mace finished in fifth place and was one of the first candidates to concede as results came in. She told the crowd she thinks Wilson will defeat Evette.
“I want to have a moment to talk about tonight's race,†Mace said. “This is a spiritual battle between good and between evil. This is a fight between those who protect predators amongst us and those that will fight against them and put them in jail.â€
Mace's congressional term ends at the end of this year. She briefly addressed her next move, but did not say what that next step would be.
Attorney General race also heads to runoff
South Carolina's Republican primary for attorney general is headed to a runoff between David Stumbo and Stephen Goldfinch.
Stumbo racked up votes along the I-26 corridor, running strong from the Midlands into the Upstate.
Goldfinch countered with key wins in the Upstate, then built momentum through the Midlands and sealed it with decisive margins back home in Horry and Georgetown counties.
The third candidate, 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, had some pockets of support, including Orangeburg and Dorchester, but came up short.
Whoever wins the runoff election will face longtime Lowcountry attorney Richard Hricik. The Democrat was uncontested in the primaries.
Andrews, Graham win primaries for U.S. Senate seat
Dr. Annie Andrews and Senator Lindsey Graham will go head-to-head in November to represent South Carolina in the Senate.
Both the Democratic nominee and Republican nominee received over 200,000 votes each Tuesday night.
Andrews, a pediatrician, won over 60% of the vote in the Democratic race.
For the Republican side, Graham received about 57% of the votes. Businessman Mark Lynch received nearly 30%.
Graham has held this seat since 2003 and has been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Andrews, a Charleston native, told CBS that she is the underdog but is ready to put up a fight.
Clyburn, Peterson win primaries for 6th Congressional District
James Clyburn and John Peterson won their respective primaries for the U.S. House District 6 race.
Clyburn won over 90% of the Democratic vote, or about 75,500 votes. He is seeking his 18th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Candidate Frederick Goodwin received nearly 10% of votes.
Peterson won 74% of the Republican vote, or about 22,000 votes.
The two will face off in November.
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