The latest: Archie Parnell will survive in SC 5th District congressional race, AP says

9:40 p.m.

The AP has now called the 5th District race for Archie Parnell.

Parnell will be the Democratic nominee and face U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, in a rematch in November.

Parnell survived controversy around a past case of domestic violence against his then-wife 45 years ago, revealed in the candidate's divorce records just weeks before the election. Parnell stayed in the race despite calls by prominent Democrats around the state for him to drop out.

8:45 p.m.

With 37 percent of the results in according to AP, Parnell maintains a lead of 62 percent, 46 percentage points ahead of his next closest challenger Sidney Moore.

8:01 p.m.

The first results in South Carolina's 5th congressional district shows former Democratic nominee Archie Parnell has a lead with 73 percent.

Parnell's next closest challenger in the Democratic primary, former York County Councilman Sidney Moore, who has 14 percent.

Parnell was seen as the favorite in the Democratic primary just a few weeks ago, until his campaign was rocked by revelations he hit his then-wife 45 years ago. Despite calls to drop out from his fellow Democrats, Parnell said he would stay in the race and let the voters decide.

Parnell faces three other challengers in the race, including Moore former undocumented immigrant Mark Ali, who has 8 percent, and former professional clown Steve Lough, with 5 percent.

If no candidate wins a majority in Tuesday's vote, the top two candidates will face off in a runoff on June 26.

The nominee will face U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-Rock Hill, in November. Parnell narrowly lost to Norman in a special election last year.

This story was originally published June 12, 2018 at 8:06 PM with the headline "The latest: Archie Parnell will survive in SC 5th District congressional race, AP says."