Tuesday, Jun. 24, 2008

Knotts wins Senate 23 runoff

Jake Knotts fought off a challenge today from Republican party insider Katrina Shealy to retain his Senate 23 seat.

Knotts got 7,106 votes, or 57.5 percent, to Shealy’s 5,254 votes, or 42.5 percent.

In Richland County, longtime Clerk of Court Barbara Scott was defeated by Richland 1 school board member Jeanette McBride.

Gwendolyn Davis Kennedy will return to Richland County Council after she defeated newcomer Kiba Anderson. Kennedy replaces Joe McEachern, who is running for state office.

Voters are still being counted in the House District 79 between David Herndon and Sheri Few.

Turnout high in Senate 23 runoff

Polls closed in the Senate 23 runoff between Jake Knotts and Katrina Shealy about 30 minutes ago.

Lexington County election officials report higher turnout than for the primary two weeks ago. They are expecting a more than 20 percent turnout when the votes are counted. That could set a record for Lexington County for a runoff. Here’s what some voters across the district had to say today about how they voted and why:

“I’m a Democrat, and from the information I got, you vote for one of the Republicans who can benefit you the most. I voted for Jake Knotts. — Craig Byrd, Three Fountains, Lexington County employee

Katrina. “There’s a lot of gambling with either one. It was the lesser of two evils at this point. This is a tough one. I’ve struggled over this because of the voucher stuff.” — Matt Curie, at the Barr Road precinct, Shealy’s home polling place, comptroller for Nucor

“I voted for Jake Knotts. He did a lot for the county and he’s a honest politician. You don’t get a lot of that these days. But he tells it like it is.” — Boykin Roseborough, West Columbia, retired state employee

Katrina. “I’m not too big on career politicians. I just wanted to try someone else.” — Frank Neeley, at Barr Road precinct, West Columbia police officer

“I voted for Jake Knotts. I’ve seen Jake in county affairs for a long time. Whenever our friends were in trouble, they could call him. I’m saddened with the actions of the Republican Party (in this Senate race). We need more people like Jake. — Roland C. Young, 76, retired insurance salesman

“I’m voting for Jake Knotts, at the least, because he supports public education. His opponent has not said she supports public education. And, she said she would fully support Mark Sanford, and I don’t think the governor supports public education.” --- Linda Maguire, Lexington, school teacher

— By Staff writers Roddie Burris and Clif LeBlanc