Former State Senator Lee Bright seems primed to be declared the winner of the special Republican primary election for State Senate District 12.Â
According to unofficial results from the South Carolina Election Commission on Tuesday evening, Bright took 50.9% of the vote. Just over 5,000 people came out in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties to cast their ballots in the primaries.
Unofficial Results
Lee Bright - 2,549 (50.9%)
Hope Blackley - 1,363 (27.22%)
Justin Bradley - 1,096 (21.88%)
Click here to view results by precinct
According to South Carolina Code, a candidate can only be declared the winner of a first primary election if they receive a majority of the votes, or over 50%. Since Bright fell just above that margin, it is difficult to determine if a runoff will be required. If results remain certified as is, he will be running unopposed on the Dec. 23 ballot.
Bright would be taking back his former seat, having formerly been a senator for District 12 from 2009 to 2017. Throughout his last term, he was the lead sponsor for the Constitutional Carry bill and the Firearms Freedom Act.
This is a special primary election following the resignation of Senator Roger Nutt. Nutt resigned his seat due to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Following his resignation, the State Senate set a timeline for a special election.
The same day Nutt announced his resignation, House Representative Bobby Cox chose to vacate his seat. The dual absence allowed for both elections to occur at the same time.
The special election for South Carolina Senate District 12 and House District 21 will be held on Dec. 23. For more information on statewide elections, visit SCVotes.gov.Â
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