GOP Senatorial and Congressional Nominees Set for November

Graham Rolls on as Senate GOP Nominee; Mace Wins Lowcountry

 

Sen. Lindsey Graham built a huge lead in absentee balloting in his re-election bid and kept a large margin on election day on his way to a win in the Republican Primary with 68% of the vote. Graham brushed aside Michael LaPierre, Joe Reynolds and Dwayne “Duke” Buckner.The three captured 17, nine and six percent respectfully.

Graham moves onto the November general election against Democrat Jaime Harrison, the former State Party Chairman and lobbyist. Washington Democrats have targeted the seat as Graham’s popularity amongst Democrats and Independents has dropped from prior years. The race figures to be one of the most expensive in the country.

 

 

State Rep. Nancy Mace posted a strong victory in the hotly contested Republican Primary for the First Congressional District in the lowcountry. Mace will face first-term Democrat Joe Cunningham in November in what looks to be one of the most targeted seats in the 435-member US House.

Mace gained a majority in every county on the way to a solid 59%. Mount Pleasant Councilwoman Kathy Landing was the next closest competitor with 26%. Chris Cox and Brade Mole lagged far behind.

Cunningham picked up the district for the Democrats in 2018 and Republicans locally and nationally have looked to win the seat back ever since. President Trump carried the district by 13% in 2016.

 

 

Second District Congressman Joe Wilson cruised in his re-election against Springdale Mayor Michael Bishop. Wilson picked up 74% to Bishop’s 26%. The longtime congressman now goes up against Democrat Adair Burroughs in the general election. Burroughs has raised a good amount of money and the Democrats are viewing the district as an opportunity if they have a landslide-type election across the country.

Hosea Cleveland knocked off Mark D. Welch in the Democratic Primary and will now face Rep. Jeff Duncan. Duncan should be a shoe-in in the staunchly Republican District.

Democrats are hopeful for former Gamecock football player and financial developer Moe Brown in the fifth congressional district. Brown defeated Sidney A Moore with 68% of the vote and will now face Rep. Ralph Norman. The rapidly changing district located primarily in Rock Hill and the Charlotte suburbs could be ripe for an upset if Republicans have a poor year.

 

 

Democrat Melissa Ward Watson barely gained the majority needed to avoid a runoff on June 23rd with just over 50% in the 7th Congressional District that runs from the Grand Strand through the Pee Dee. Ward Watson bested State Rep. Robert Williams and William “Cowboy” Williams. Ward Watson is now the underdog in the November matchup with Rep. Tom Rice.

 

Preston Baines is a political analyst and can be reached at @prestonbaines on Twitter and prestonbaines@gmail.com.

 

 

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