SC-1: Sanford Gone

​Just before last night’s election, a South Carolina political poll revealed that incumbent US Representative and former Governor Mark Sanford (R) was is serious re-nomination trouble, largely because of his public criticism of President Trump.  With the President as the focal point of the primary campaign, state Rep. Katie Arrington (R-Summerville) defeated Rep. Sanford in last night’s primary election, with a 50.5 to 46.6% recorded vote margin according to the latest count.  The percentage is important because exceeding the 50% mark means Ms. Arrington wins the nomination without advancing to a secondary June 26th run-off election.
 
Mr. Sanford becomes the second incumbent House member to be denied re-nomination in the 2018 primary season.   In early May, North Carolina Rep. Bob Pittenger (R-Charlotte) fell to Baptist former pastor Mark Harris in the 9th District Republican primary. 
 
In the Charleston area, Ms. Arrington is now expected to easily defeat Democratic primary winner Joe Cunningham in the November general election.

--Jim Ellis