A good day for incumbents
Election results
Statewide election results from The Associated PressTuesday was mostly a very good day for incumbents, including U.S. Sen Lindsey Graham, First District Rep. Henry Brown, Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten, and state Sen. Robert Ford, all of whom handily beat their challengers.
Not every incumbent had a good night, however. State Sen. Randy Scott, who was charged with DUI during the campaign, lost a close race to former Sen. Mike Rose for the state Senate District 38 seat.
It was also an election that brought some new blood. Charleston County Council Chairman Tim Scott defeated two challengers for the District 117 House seat, guaranteeing that he will become at least one of the first black Republicans to serve in the Statehouse since Reconstruction. He could be the only one.
Meanwhile, businesswoman and philanthropist Linda Ketner defeated perennial candidate Ben Frasier for the Democratic First Congressional District nomination. On James Island, Anne Peterson Hutto defeated frequent candidate Eugene Platt in the Democratic primary for the state House District 115 seat. She will challenge Republican incumbent Wallace Scarborough in the fall.
In Dorchester County, where turnout was relatively higher, L.C. Knight won the sheriff's position in a GOP primary battle against Terry Boatwright, while J.J. Messervy thumped Teresa Smoak Messex in the auditor's primary just a few days after Messex was fired by outgoing Auditor Brenda Nix because of questionable tax discounts.
E-mail this story 
Printer-friendly version
Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Comments
This article has 8 comment(s)
Posted by moonpie on June 11, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe these incumbents won. I voted against everyone of them. I will vote for their democratic opposite in the fall.
Good job Mr Scott, I voted for you too. Like what you did in Chas County and I think you'll carry that mantra to the state house.
Posted by moonpie on June 11, 2008 at 5:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nothing about Scarlett Wilson pouncing Blair Jennings? Chas county will always bring more support than Berkeley county. Early on when Mr Jennings sided with Berk County Sheriffs dept I saw the writing on the wall. She had the heavy weights in Chas county behind her.
Posted by bkeelin on June 11, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only message Lindsey Graham got was that he must be doing a fantastic job, winning two to one is not the way to tell an incumbent he needs to straighten up and quit with the amnesty.
Posted by watchdog on June 11, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can not believe the incumbents won. I have to put the blame on the citizens of this state for keeping us ass backwards.....
Posted by dreyn on June 11, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Incredible. South Carolinians so proud of their new little 'illegal alien' bill so they vote back in the clown who's going back to Washington to overturn it. Now that makes sense. Look at the number of eligible voters who turned out for this election-this state deserves whatever it gets! Hope nobody missed Oprah!
Posted by Weeeee on June 11, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I voted against Graham. In fact, I voted against all incumbents.
Posted by dr_fed on June 11, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The gool ole boy system lives and thrives. Let's raise a glass and celebrate SC's continued status of being last or number 50 in everything. The actions of yesterdays voters insured this tradition will continue.
Posted by dreyn on June 11, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jane, that was sarcasm. I meant, I hope nobody had to GET UP off their duff in front of the TV to go vote. I wouldn't watch Oprah if that was all that was on. Sorry for the misunderstanding.