Hundley survives challenged ballots in Senate District 41

Republican Walter Hundley’s narrow win in the special District 41 Senate race survived this morning’s consideration of challenged ballots. A recount will be held later today.

Hundley had a 14-vote lead over Democrat Paul Tinkler after all the votes were tallied in the special election Tuesday. However, there were 21 challenged ballots that could have swayed the outcome.

But when Charleston County election officials met this morning and weighed which ones to count and which to discard, Hundley’s margin stood.

South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, a Republican, released a statement today congratulating Hundley, adding, “Once again South Carolina voters have picked Republican ideals over the Democrats’ persistence to block every reform measure that comes before state government.”

The District 41 seat, which stretches from Kiawah and Seabrook islands to James Island and West Ashley, had been held for more than 30 years by Lt. Gov. Glenn McConell, who resigned his Senate seat after former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned and pled guilty to ethics violations.

The winner of this week’s special election will serve only until mid November. That’s when whoever wins the Nov. 6 District 41 race will be sworn in.

Read more in tomorrow’s editions of The Post and Courier.