Evette, Wilson head to GOP gov’s runoff; Dems’ Johnson sails to easy win

UPDATED | South Carolina’s first open governor’s race in 16 years will pit Richland Democratic Rep. Jermaine Johnson against the winner of a June 23 Republican runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and state Attorney General Alan Wilson.

That was the big political news coming out of Tuesday’s statewide primary voting, which included contested races for each of the state’s seven elected constitutional offices and all 124 S.C. House Districts. Also on the ballot were contested races for the U.S. House and Senate.

In the night’s other high-profile state race, Georgetown Sen. Stephen Goldfinch is headed into a GOP runoff for state attorney general with 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo. The winner will face Lowcountry Democratic attorney Richard Hricik in the fall.

Governor’s race surprises

Still, it was the race to replace term-limited Gov. Henry McMaster that generated most of the heat in the campaign’s final days — and provided the only real surprises on election night.

On the Democratic side, the competitive race most observers were expecting turned into an early rout, as Johnson took 60% percent of the vote against two vastly better-financed opponents — Upstate businessman Billy Webster, who garnered 30%, and Lowcountry attorney Mullins McLeod, who received 10%.

On the GOP side, the surprise was less the top two finishers — polls showed Evette and Wilson ahead almost right from the start — than the closeness of the race, given President Donald Trump’s strong endorsement of Evette in the campaign’s closing days. Another factor: Two sitting members of Congress – U.S. Reps. Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman – didn’t make the cut.

With all 46 counties reporting, Evette captured 29% of the vote to Wilson’s 26%, with Norman at 17%, Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy at 14% and Mace at 12%.

In other races

Attorney General: For Republicans, Goldfinch led the field with 40% to Strumbo’s 36% and 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe’s 24%. On the Democratic side, Hricik ran unopposed.

Superintendent of Education: Incumbent GOP Superintendent Ellen Weaver, who ran unopposed, will face Democratic educator Syvia Wright, who defeated Lisa Ellis 61% to 39%.

Treasurer: Running unopposed for renomination, longtime Republican incumbent Curtis Loftis will square off against Democratic challenger Vincent Coe, who took 56% of the vote to former state Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson’s 44%.

Commissioner of Agriculture: In one of the tightest races of the night, Trump- and McMaster-endorsed Republican Cody Simpson received 38% to Danny Ford II’s 37%, with Jeremy Cannon grabbing 14% and Fred West 11%. The winner of a GOP runoff between Simpson and Ford will face Democratic candidate DeShawn Blanding, who ran without opposition.

Comptroller General: Republican businessman Mike Burkhold, running unopposed in the primary, will face Democratic CPA Tiffany Boozer, who beat Bruce Cole 74% to 26%.

Secretary of State: Incumbent Republican Mark Hammond will square off against Democratic nominee Jason Belton, who narrowly defeated Edwina Winter 51% to 49%.