Hundley stops his Senate 41 campaign

District 41 Sen. Walter Hundley said today he will suspend his campaign, apparently paving the way for Republican Paul Thurmond to focus on Nov. 6.

Hundley and Thurmond, a former Charleston County Councilman, ran against each other Tuesday in a special three-way primary.

They defeated Charleston businessman Wally Burbage but were set to meet again in an Oct. 2 run-off.

Hundley won a special July election to fill out the rest of Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell’s Senate term, but he also had said he wouldn’t seek a full term, so he surprised some by seeking it.

Hundley said he reached his decision following Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling upholding the special primary.

“It appears that there is a consensus among Republican Party officials and Mr. Thurmond that he has been qualified to run in the special primary runoff,” Hundley said.

“The Democrats have caused too much confusion and fighting within the Republican Party up to this time. Therefore, as of today, I am suspending all campaigning for the Republican nomination for Senate District 41. I believe that we must focus our efforts on the November election to keep Senate District 41 a Republican seat.”

Democrat and former Charleston City Councilman Paul Tinkler also is running for the seat on Nov. 6.

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