Light Voter Turnout in OC

Less than 3,000 people voted in yesterday’s primary runoff elections in Oconee County. The local vote mirrored that of statewide returns. Oconee County Republican voters decided their superintendent runoff by giving Molly Mitchell Spearman 54% compared to her opponent, Sally Atwater, who received 46%. In the Democratic runoff for state superintendent, Tom Thompson took nearly 66% of the vote. Statewide with 96% of precincts reporting, Spearman captured 57% of Republican votes and Thompson had about 59% of Democratic votes. Oconee County Republican voters selected Henry McMaster to be their party’s nominee for Lieutenant Governor. McMaster secured 61% of the Oconee County vote. Statewide with 96% of precincts reporting, McMaster had nearly 64% of the vote to Mike Campbell’s 36%. He now faces Democratic candidate State Rep. Bakari Sellers in November. This will be the last election where voters will independently elect the lieutenant governor. Starting in 2018, candidates for governor will select a running mate to hold the office.