Independent Mail: Sandifer easily wins primary challenge in Oconee County; unopposed in Nov.
By David Williams (Contact)
WALHALLA — Gov. Mark Sanford may have backed Ed Rumsey, 75, against veteran South Carolina House member Bill Sandifer, but Sandifer, the District 2 representative since 1994, had multiple other key Republicans in his corner Tuesday.
Sandifer, 63, had little trouble fending off Rumsey in the Republican primary 3,269 to 1,283, according to unofficial returns Tuesday.
Sandifer faces no Democratic opposition in the November general election.
The Seneca businessman ran on his record, and he had the backing of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., also of Oconee County, plus U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C., of Westminster and the other members of the Oconee County legislative delegation.
“My top priority will remain finding ways to keep taxes as low as possible,” Sandifer said.
Rumsey, a salesman and former chairman of the Oconee County Republican Party, campaigned for school choice and received financial backing from people outside of South Carolina who favor school vouchers.
Sandifer garnered nearly 72 percent of the vote to Rumsey’s 28 percent.
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