Marlon Kimpson wins District 42 Senate runoff

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC/AP) - Attorney Marlon Kimpson has defeated Maurice Washington for the Democratic nomination in the Charleston area state district once represented by Robert Ford.
    
Kimpson defeated Washington by more than 2-to-1 in Tuesday's runoff in the district extending from the Charleston peninsula into Dorchester County. Unofficial returns gave Kimpson 2,714 votes to Washington's 1,217.
    
The candidates were the top vote-getters two weeks ago in a six-way Democratic primary in Senate District 42.
    
Kimpson now faces Republican Billy Shuman and Libertarian Alex Thornton in an Oct. 1 special election.

Last week, Washington asked Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman Richard Hricik to resign, accusing him of sending emails to voters that paint him as a supporter of the Republican Party.

"I told chairman Hricik from the very beginning that my purpose for running for this senate seat is not to represent the Democratic Party in Columbia or Democratic Party bosses, but to represent the people of South Carolina first and foremost. If that requires reaching across the aisle working with fellow republican senators, democratic senators or independent senators. I will do specifically that," Washington said.

Hricik has not issued a comment on Washington's statements.

Kimpson goes on to face Republican Billy Shuman and Libertarian Alex Thornton in the Oct. 1 special election.

Ford, long a voice for black voters, served in Columbia for 20 years but resigned at the end of May, citing high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.

At the time, he was the focus of a Senate Ethics Committee probe into campaign finances. The committee found probable cause to support allegations he violated ethics laws and the State Law Enforcement Division is now investigating.

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