Key SC House Race Is Photo Finish (Updated)
Democrat Anne Peterson-Hutto is clinging to a 201-vote lead over Republican Wallace Scarborough in S.C. House District 115, a race that has profound implications on the balance of power in Columbia.
With a small number of paper absentee ballots yet to be counted, Peterson-Hutto is hoping to win this Lowcountry district outright today and remove one of the House’s most powerful Republicans, as well as a key right-hand man to GOP Speaker Bobby Harrell.
Scarborough – who claimed victory last night – is now facing the daunting task of making up enough votes to trigger a recount.
If trends on paper absentee ballots in Charleston County hold, Peterson-Hutto should emerge with at least a 150-200 vote lead.
Needless to say, lots of insiders up in Columbia are watching this race very closely.
UPDATE – Numbers fresh from the trenches …
CURRENT VOTE COUNT:
S.C. House District 115
(R) Wallace Scarborough – 49% (8,766)
(D) Anne Peterson Hutto – 50% (8,967)
Comments
By andersonnativejtm on November 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I tried to follow as much as I could. The Senate seats in York, Edgefield, and Dorchester stayed Republican, and the House seat in Spartanburg stayed Republican. Besides this House seat in Charleston, did the Democrats pick up any seats in the General Assembly?
By One for The Money on November 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
andersonnativejtm,
House 79 went Dem…Open seat formerly held by “Welcome back Cotty”
By Philip Branton on November 5th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Sic…..
Wallace not showing up to the debate at JI High did him in……! Eventhough, the turnout was LOW….it did NOT bode well. Its the ENERGY….boyz !!
2010 will be won or LOST on our STATE’s energy ..PRODUCTION !!!
ALL FORMS…..
Energy from plasmafying trash to CLOSE LANDFILLS…!!
Energy from Algae Biofuels to power our states buses and diesel vehicles that is produced right here by South Carolina Farmers!
Energy from WIND with coastal Windfarms….!
By M.W. McGill on November 5th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
I’d say that Wallace was a little quick on the trigger last night. But, what else is new?
By Don Johnson on November 6th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Wallace was quick on the trigger because most everyone (including Hutto, but I’m sure she won’t admit it this morning) thought she’d lost. Most Democratic insiders in Charleston and Columbia said so Wednesday morning.
Then the absentees came in……………..
It’s not over until the fat lady sings. But she’s warming up in Wallace’s dressing room.
By Old Bike Dude on November 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Ceips, Bits O Lace, SCE&G targets, c’mon where were his pals when he needed them?
By M.W. McGill on November 7th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Don Johnson:
“Most Democratic insiders” don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground.
But the Hutto camp – especially MacIntosh – appeared pretty confident on election night.