[UPDATED, 7 a.m., June 12] U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., fended off two Republican challengers in a tough First Congressional District primary battle that saw millions of dollars in negative advertising. In November, she’ll face Democratic newcomer Michael B. Moore after he edged Mount Pleasant lawyer Mac Deford by less than 700 votes out of more than 21,000 cast.

According to unofficial results of Tuesday’s primary, Mace received 28,280 votes, which was almost twice of the 14,838 votes for former GOP gubernatorial candidate Catherine Templeton of Mount Pleasant.  A third candidate, Bill Young, got 6,687 votes.  

In other key Lowcountry races Tuesday:

Leber over Senn.  Incumbent Republican Sen. Sandy Senn of Charleston fell 31 votes short in unofficial results of keeping her seat as hard-right freshman S.C. Rep. Matt Leber of Johns Island received 3,937 primary votes out of 7,843 cast.  A recount is expected.

Sister senators.  Senn is one of five “sister senators” who stood up to the GOP establishment last year over a six-week abortion ban.  Of the other four, state Sen. Mia McLeod, a Richland County independent, did not run for reelection; Sen. Penny Gustafson, R-Kershaw, lost a primary battle by an 82-18 percentage margin; and Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, is in a primary runoff with Republican Carlisle Kennedy after getting 40% in a three-way race.  The only Democratic “sister senator,” Margie Bright Matthews of Walterboro, will return to the Senate because she has no general election challenger.

GOP sheriff’s runoff ahead.  In another key Charleston County battle among four GOP candidates for sheriff seeking to run against incumbent Democratic Sheriff Kristin Graziano,  retired Marine Corps Reserves Col. Greg Kitchens led with 44.5% of the vote over 41.7% garnered by former Mount Pleasant Police Chief Carl Ritchie.  The two other candidates, Rocky Burke and Rick Keys, received 5.8% and 7.9% of the vote, respectively.  Kitchens and Ritchie will meet in a June 25 runoff.

Buckner grabs 6th District nod.  In a Sixth District U.S. House GOP primary to challenge longtime Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, Republican Duke Buckner (56%) beat his GOP challenger, Justin Scott (44%).

Incumbents on top.  In other Lowcountry primary battles, incumbents beat back challengers, as shown in these unofficial results:

  • Senate 42: Democratic Sen. Deon Tedder of North Charleston received 83% of the vote against challenger Kim Greene.
  • Senate 44: Republican Sen. Brian Adams of Goose Creek got 80% of 5,483 votes over Republican attorney Shawn Pinkston. 
  • House 15: Incumbent Democratic Rep. J.A. Moore (D-North Charleston) polled 87% of votes against challenger Damian Daly.
  • House 98: GOP Rep. Chris Murphy (R-North Charleston) beat challenger Greg Ford by a 65-35 percentage margin.
  • House 102: Longtime Rep. Joe Jefferson (D-Pineville) walloped challenger Collin Holloway by getting 88% of the primary vote.
  • House 109: Freshman Rep. Tiffany Spann-Wilder (D-North Charleston) got 91% of the vote against a challenger who had withdrawn before her name was removed from the ballot.
  • House 111: Longtime Rep. Wendell Gilliard (D-Charleston) got 1,496 votes to shoo away two challengers, Dwayne Greene and Regina Duggins, who got a combined 23% of the primary vote.
  • House 112: Rep. Joe Bustos (R-Mount Pleasant) beat challenger Nadine Dief by a 3-1 margin out of 3,607 votes cast. 
  • House 114: Rep. Gary Brewer (R-Charleston) beat challenger Jody Bohman by a 2-1 margin out of 3,612 votes cast.
  • House 116:  In a Democratic primary for an open seat, Charlie Murray got 90% of 1,884 votes over Charles Glover Sr. in the Ravenel-Johns Island district.

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