Unofficial results: Deon Tedder in lead of SC Senate Dist. 42 race

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Two South Carolina Representatives faced off again for a chance to represent the Democratic party this November in the South Carolina State Senate District 42 race.

State Reps. Wendell Gilliard and Deon Tedder advanced to a runoff after no candidate received the required 50% plus one vote to lock down the nomination on Sept. 5.

The unofficial results from the South Carolina Election Commission show Tedder in the lead with 50.13% of the vote. Gilliard has received 49.87% of the vote.

Executive Director of the Charleston County Board of Elections Isaac Cramer says officials will look to certify the results on Thursday. If the election is within one percent or less, there will be a recount.

“And literally the only message I can tell people is ‘thank you.’ Thank you to District 42 for trusting me and believing in me and really for giving me a chance. That’s all I asked people, was to give me a chance, give me the opportunity to be your next state senator,” Tedder said Tuesday night.

Data from the South Carolina Election Commission website shows that nearly 53,000 people were registered to vote in the race, but voter turnout was just shy of 8% with around 4,000 people casting ballots on Tuesday.

“That’s a grave concern. We should all be concerned about that, because the voters did not come out like they should have. They did not come out in numbers. That’s why you heard me say earlier, I’m displeased with that,” Gilliard said during his watch party.

The winner of Tuesday’s election will go on to face Republican Rosa Kay in the Nov. 7 general election. The candidates are running for the vacant seat that was previously held by Marlon Kimpson, who resigned to take a job with the Biden administration.

You can follow the unofficial results, here.

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