The Republican runoff ballot for coroner Tuesday caps a busy primary election season in Lexington County.

Deciding the match between Margaret Fisher and Brian Setree will be the fourth time in six weeks that county voters go to the polls.

County election officials predict as many as 10 percent of the county’s roughly 160,000 voters will settle the coroner showdown. Both campaigns are concerned turnout will be much lower. So far, about 800 absentee ballots have been cast.

The runoff is necessary because none of the seven candidates exceeded 50 percent of votes in the initial ballot July 1. Winning the runoff is tantamount to election Nov. 4 to the $86,000-per-year post, since no Democrat is running. The winner will serve through 2016.

Both Fisher and Setree promise to be a hands-on coroner who will emulate the compassion to grieving families for which the late Harry Harman was known.

Harman held the post for more than 37 years until his death April 18. His death happened too late to allow the race for his successor to be added to earlier ballots.

Here’s a snapshot of each candidate:

Fisher: Her backers are crossing their fingers that Gov. Nikki Haley’s surprise blessing cements victory.

Fisher’s message of medical training as a nurse – a profession she never worked in – and law enforcement experience as a Richland County deputy helped her emerge from the pack to claim a narrow first-place finish July 1.

A network of support rooted in churches – developed from her family’s role in supplying animals for religious events – may be as important as other factors.

“There’s enthusiasm out there,” Fisher campaign adviser R.J. Shealy said. “She’s trying to seal the deal.”

Setree: Haley’s rare endorsement in a local race of his opponent is an unwelcome surprise.

But Setree is banking on friendships developed as a former police officer and deputy – support that helped him finish a close second to Fisher in the first round – to triumph.

“I’m reaching out to my core group,” he said. “We’re just beating the bushes.”

Setree, a private investigator, touts his experience as a former top Harman aide and intention to assist groups that discourage drunken driving and other reckless behavior to reduce tragic deaths.