Updated

Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 10

Evette, Wilson Reach June 23 Governor Runoff as Graham Wins 5th-Term GOP Senate Nod

Updated

Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 10

Evette, Wilson Reach June 23 Governor Runoff as Graham Wins 5th-Term GOP Senate Nod

Q: Given the 50% rule, will South Carolina's Senate primary be decided tonight or in a later runoff?

It is not certain yet; the Senate primaries will be decided tonight only if a candidate finishes above 50%, otherwise they go to a June 23 runoff. Based on the early returns, both current leaders are above that threshold, but the vote is still far too incomplete to know for sure. In the Republican race, Lindsey Graham is leading with about 61% of the vote from the small share of precincts reporting, which would be enough to avoid a runoff if that margin holds. In the Democratic race, Annie Andrews is also above 50% in the early count, putting her on pace to win outright as well. South Carolina requires a majority, not just a plurality, to win a primary. If no candidate reaches 50%, the top two finishers advance to a runoff two weeks later, on June 23. So, as of the early results, both party contests appear capable of being settled tonight, especially the Republican race if Graham maintains his lead. But with only a small fraction of precincts reporting, a runoff remains possible until more of the statewide vote is counted.

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 10

Pamela Evette and Alan Wilson advanced Tuesday to a June 23 Republican runoff for South Carolina governor, while Lindsey Graham avoided a runoff and secured the GOP Senate nomination for a fifth term.
Trump's backing shaped both races: he endorsed Graham early and Evette only last week, as South Carolina Republicans competed heavily for his support throughout the primary.
Graham will face Democrat Annie Andrews in November after winning in a state where Republicans usually carry statewide races by double-digit margins; he beat his Democratic opponent by 10 points in 2020.
Evette immediately cast the runoff as a contrast with "career politician" Wilson, the attorney general since 2011, while Wilson appealed to supporters of defeated rivals to unite behind him.
Jermaine Johnson won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination outright, but Democrats have not won a South Carolina governor's race since 1998 or a U.S. Senate seat there in decades.