A roundup of The State’s endorsements in Tuesday’s South Carolina primary elections
Here are The State Editorial Board’s endorsements in Tuesday’s South Carolina primary elections.
U.S. Senate Republican Party primary
The candidates: Incumbent Sen. Lindsey Graham, Dwayne “Duke” Buckner, Joe Reynolds, Michael LaPierre.
Our choice: Graham.
Our view: Graham’s experience and influence as a powerful three-term senator make him the clear choice.
1st Congressional District Republican Party primary
The candidates: State Rep. Nancy Mace, Mount Pleasant Town Councilwoman Kathy Landing, Brad Mole and Chris Cox (who did not respond to The State’s request for a candidate interview).
Our choice: Mace.
Our view: Mace’s impressive work as a rookie Lowcountry lawmaker in the State House makes her the best candidate to face incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Cunningham in November.
SC House District 75 Democratic Party primary
The candidates: Heather Bauer, Rhodes Bailey.
Our choice: Bauer.
Our view: While both are impressive, Bauer’s detail-oriented approach and small-business background give her the slight edge.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow The State made its endorsements: During the weeks leading up to the June 9 primary, Opinion Editor Roger Brown interviewed all of the candidates except for Chris Cox, who did not respond to an interview request. The interviews with all of the candidates were largely focused on public policy. The decisions to endorse Graham, Mace and Bauer were reached after reviewing all of the interviews with the primary candidates and studying their records and positions — and they were made in consultation with Executive Editor Brian Tolley.
This story was originally published June 8, 2020 at 1:57 PM.