(The Center Square) – Former state Sen. Lee Bright appears headed back Columbia, having won Tuesday’s Republican primary for the vacant Senate District 12 seat.
Bright snagged more than 50% of the votes with Hope Blackley (27%) and Justin Bradley (22%) well back in unofficial returns from the South Carolina Election Commission. Former Sen. Roger Nutt, R-Spartanburg, resigned for health reasons.
There were no Democrats for a primary and a Dec. 23 general election will be held, with an option for a write-in available. Nutt last November captured 64% of the more than 57,000 votes in a race against Democrat Octavia Amaechi.
Bright served his district previously for eight years ending in 2016.
In the special election District 21 race for the state House of Representatives, Republican Steve Nail (39%) and Dianne Mitchell (37%) will have a runoff Nov. 4 because neither reached the 50% threshold. Reggie Baston (20%) and Jack Stott (4%) were further back.
The seat was previously held by Rep. Bobby Cox, R-Greenville.
The special election for House District 88 is also headed to a Nov. 4 runoff in the race to succeed Rep. R.J. May, R-Lexington. John Lastinger (40.1%) and Brian Duncan (38%) were far ahead of Lorelai Graye (15.1%) and Darren Rogers Sr. (6.9%).
May resigned amid charges of distributing child sex abuse materials.
The 2025 election cycle for the state is considered an off-year, meaning no statewide elections for state or congressional seats. There are municipal elections.
