Who won in Midlands 2024 South Carolina House races? Bauer among incumbent winners.

Democratic State Rep. Heather Bauer defended her seat against former Rep. Kirkman Finlay, a Republican by 1,155 votes, more than quadrupling the number she over took him by in 2022, according to the South Carolina elections website.

Bauer beat Finlay with what many said was a relentless door-knocking effort. Just as she did when she was elected in 2022, when she spoke to voters about primarily one issue; abortion. Bauer defeated the incumbent Finlay then by 235 votes, a win not many saw coming.

This time around, she continued those efforts, but voters in her district cited liking her for her stance on education and involvement in community politics. Bauer received 53.11% to Finlay’s 46.81%, according to the SC elections website.

Bauer and Finlay ran a heated campaign, with numerous attack ads about each other stances on key issues like abortion, immigration and their voting records.

Voters in the District 75 race told The State they liked Bauer because she was sincere and hard working, mentioning her stance on abortion and her values on education. Finlay backers said he was dependable and reliable, had strong pro-business values and was smart with money.

Bauer declared victory at her watch party around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, with about 80% of precincts reported.

Finlay’s campaign released a statement from him Wednesday morning.

“Congratulations to Rep. Bauer. The voters in our district have spoken, and their voices are clear. Politics today is often marked by division, but I hope we can all come together with the goal of making Columbia a better place to live, work and raise a family. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me,” it read.

Bauer thanked her supporters, friends, volunteers and family in her speech. She said she loves the work she has done in the State House, and has “stood for women and girls.”

“We have a lot of work to do,” she said. “I never thought I’d be where I am. Tonight we’re going to celebrate and then tomorrow we’ll get back to work. My final sentiment is, I think we said tonight, Kirkman Finlay, no means no. No.”

At the end of her victory speech to supporters and friends, she said “tomorrow we’ll get back to knocking doors maybe.”

House District 69

Republican Rep. Chris Wooten is headed back to the State House after he defeated Libertarian Allen Broadus, 81% to 18% with 100 percent of the precincts in the Lexington County district reporting.

Wooten has served in the House since 2018.

House District 76

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Leon Howard won his seat again in House District 76 against Workers Party candidate Gary Votour, who recieved about 8% of the vote.

Howard has been in the House since 1995.

House District 79

Democrat Hamilton Grant beat Republican nominee Rebecca Madsen, 75% to 24% in House District 79.

Grant will succeed former Democratic Rep. Ivory Thigpen, who lost his bid for state Senate District 22 in the primary runoff to Overture Walker.

House District 89

Republican state Rep. Micah Caskey will be returning to the State House after he won the race by nearly 20 percentage points against Democratic nominee Wayne Borders. District 89 includes parts of Lexington County.

Caskey took 60% of votes and Borders had about 40% with all of the precincts counted.

Caskey, an attorney, has been serving in the state house since 2016.

House District 93

Democrat Jerry Govan beat Republican Krista Hassell and Workers Party candidate Harold Geddings with 51% of the vote to Hassell’s 46%.

The district includes parts of Orangeburg and Calhoun county.

The District 93 seat was formerly held by state Rep. Russell Ott, who was leading his bid for state Senate District 26 late Tuesday night.

This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 11:40 PM.