Charleston, South Carolina (CNN) – Former Gov. Mark Sanford finished first in Tuesday’s crowded Republican primary for the U.S. House special election in South Carolina, CNN projects. However, Sanford fell well short of the 50% margin needed to avoid a runoff.
The former governor will compete against Curtis Bostic, a former Charleston councilman, in a runoff election in two weeks. The third place finisher, state Sen. Larry Grooms, conceded the race Wednesday.
“Are you guys ready to change things in Washington, D.C.?” Sanford said to supporters at his campaign headquarters in Charleston on Tuesday night. All four of his sons attended the party.
“What we’ve earned is the honor of being on the playing field here for the next two weeks,” he added, asking the crowd to redouble their campaign efforts. “Indeed, we are at that tipping point.”
On the Democratic side, CNN projects Elizabeth Colbert Busch, sister of comedian Stephen Colbert, won the nomination.
“This is absolutely incredible. What a wonderful night,” she told supporters at a victory party in Charleston, South Carolina. “It’s the start of a new beginning, right?”
Source: CNN
UPDATE: Elizabeth released a heartfelt message on youtube where she thanks her supporters and financial contributors. She indicates also that she received approximately 15,598 votes (96%) of the democratic vote, despite low turnout (only 15% of registered voters participated on March 19th.)
Elizabeth Colbert Busch Wins Democratic Primary
Source: CNN
UPDATE: Elizabeth released a heartfelt message on youtube where she thanks her supporters and financial contributors. She indicates also that she received approximately 15,598 votes (96%) of the democratic vote, despite low turnout (only 15% of registered voters participated on March 19th.)