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Who is leading in 2024 South Carolina Senate races? Here are some early results

J.Jones23 min ago

Democratic State Rep. Russell Ott leads over Republican business owner Jason Guerry in their race to succeed Lexington Democratic state Sen. Nikki Setzler, in District 26, which includes parts of Calhoun, Lexington and Richland counties.

With 37 of 43 precincts reporting, Ott was leading 19,241 votes to 16,407 votes.

Confident in the outcome, Ott arrived at his election night watch party at 9:40 p.m. and addressed supporters.

"We feel supremely confident of where we are right now," Ott said.

Setzler announced earlier this year he would not run for reelection after serving in the upper chamber since 1977.

The district was drawn to be a competitive district that favors Democratic candidates.

Ott had the campaign cash advantage over Guerry, a first-time candidate, in the race allowing him to have more television time.

Winning a state Senate election comes with a four-year term and a $10,400 annual salary.

Senate District 35

Republican business owner Mike Jones leads in Senate District 35 seat over the Democratic former Camden Mayor Jeffrey Graham with 49 out of 56 precincts reporting.

But the lead is narrow, as Jones has 18,764 votes and Graham has 18,127 votes.

They were running to succeed state Sen. Thomas McElveen, D-Sumter, who did not run for reelection this year.

The district includes parts of Kershaw, Lee, Richland and Sumter counties.

Senate District 10

State Sen. Billy Garrett, R-McCormick, has a clear lead over Democratic challenger Francie Kleckley in Senate District 10 with all but one precinct reporting.

According to Tuesday's unofficial results, Garrett has 37,677 votes so far. Kleckley received 16,717 votes in the heavily Republican district that covers parts of Greenwood, Lexington and Saluda counties.

Garrett lived in McCormick County when he was first elected in 2020, but he changed his voter registration to Lexington County after the redistricting process.

Garrett also won the GOP nomination in June out of a four-person field.

Senate District 19

State Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, D-Richland, is favored to win her first full four-year term in the General Assembly's upper chamber. Devine on Tuesday as she leads Chris Nelums of the United Citizens Party.

With 7 out 37 precincts reporting, Devine has more than 80% of the vote.

No Republicans filed to run in the election.

Devine won a special election in January to complete state Sen. John Scott's term. Scott died in August 2023.

The district covers part of Richland County.

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