Special election pits Johnson against Sanders

Almost 25 percent of the 21,448 registered voters turned out for a special election held today to fill the seat of the late S.C. House of Representatives member Cathy Harvin. The seat became vacant when Harvin passed away in December following a lengthy battle with breast cancer.

Standing for the Republican Party were Walter “Sonny” Sanders of Summerton and Derry Beard of Barrineau. Sanders received 813 votes or 64.94 percent of the total votes cast. Beard received 439 votes or 35.06 percent.

In a surprise primary victory, Mayor Kevin Johnson won the Democratic primary garnering 60.87 percent of the 3,892 Democrat votes cast.

Generally in a primary with more than three candidates, a runoff is inevitable as a clear winner must take at least 50 percent of the votes cast.

Also running in the Democratic primary was County Council Chair Dwight Stewart who received 1,398 votes (35.92 percent), Bernard Richburg, 88 votes (2.26 percent) and Alvin Green, 37 votes (.95 percent).

This unofficial vote total only includes Clarendon County. A very small percentage of votes were cast in Williamsburg County. The election is scheduled to be certified official at noon on Thursday.

Mayor Kevin Johnson said his campaign would continue in the same path as before the primary.

“Our goal from day one was to work hard and try to avoid a runoff,” Johnson said. “We are going to continue to work hard and do the same things we have done for the past six or seven weeks. We need the same good, strong leadership in the Statehouse that we have enjoyed by our previous representatives. I know I will not be afraid to stand up for what is right for District 64.”

Should Johnson be the winner in the general election, Mayor Pro Tem Ervin Davis would assume the helm at Manning City Hall until an election for a new mayor could be held.

“The City of Manning is in great shape and we are going to want to continue with the same strong leadership,” Johnson added.

Sonny Sanders will face Johnson in the April general election and was excited about his victory Tuesday night.

“I would first like to thank all of the candidates who offered themselves for candidacy, in both parties,” Sanders noted Tuesday night. “I think we had some real quality candidates and anyone who is elected will make Clarendon neither a winner nor a loser.

“I have followed what I have heard our people say they are concerned about … unemployment, quality of education, our taxes and healthcare. Something needs to be done about all these issues. That has been my primary focus and if elected, I will carry that focus to Columbia. I will certainly work with the leadership to encourage business and economic development both here and statewide so we can put people back to work,” he added.

All registered voters are eligible to vote in the April 5 general election, even if they did not vote in the primary. Registration for new voters will be open until 30 days before the election.