Campbell faces July 3 runoff with Hinson

GOP winner in Senate Dist. 44 to face Democrat West on Aug. 7

MONCKS CORNER — Political newcomer Paul Campbell came just 25 votes short of escaping a runoff in Tuesday's three-way Republican primary for the District 44 state Senate seat, unofficial results show.

Campbell, a retired Alcoa executive, captured just over 49 percent of the vote while state Rep. Shirley Hinson had 35 percent in a special election that saw less than 8 percent turnout. Berkeley County Council Vice Chairman Bill Crosby finished third with 15 percent.

Campbell and Hinson will face off again on July 3 because Campbell fell just short of the 50 percent plus one margin to negate the runoff. The winner will face Democrat John West, a former Moncks Corner mayor, on Aug. 7. West ran unopposed.

"Not too bad," Campbell said Tuesday night. "I'm really pleased to be honest with you."

He thanked all of his supporters and promised to make another good run in two weeks.

"We're going to come back strong," Campbell said Tuesday night. "We're going to work hard in the next two weeks."

Hinson, who has served as House majority whip for the past four years, said she will come back strong in the next two weeks as well.

"I'm still in there," she said. "Anything can happen and we are going to work really hard. We are reorganizing and re-energizing for the next two weeks."

This is the second time Hinson is running for the Senate seat. She lost in 1997 to Sen. William Mescher, whose death in April necessitated the special elec- tion.

Crosby, whose 564 votes likely impacted the final results, could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Campbell, 60, and Hinson, 57, both ran on a platform promising restrictions on immigration control and good constituent service. Hinson and Campbell raised the most money in the election.

As of June 2, Hinson had raised more than $32,000 while Campbell had raised more than $23,000.

Campbell hovered above 50 percent for most of the night, but by the time the last two precinct results came in he dipped below the number needed to avoid the runoff.

He won 19 of the 27 precincts while Hinson won six. He did particularly well in Hanahan 1, Pinopolis and in Carnes Crossroads 1.

Hinson edged out victories in Goose Creek 2, Moncks Corner 1 and Westview 1.

The election results will be certified Thursday at 10 a.m.

Reach Andy Paras at 843-745-5891 or aparas@post andcourier.com.

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