Columbia Experiences Rainy Election Day with Tight Statehouse Races

Columbia Faces Showers and Close Statehouse Race After Election Day

Columbia is soaking in a steady rain this morning, with showers expected to continue into the afternoon. With a high of 77°F and a 90% chance of rain, it’s a cozy day for a cup of coffee and a political recap! Voters braved the drizzles on November 5 to cast their ballots for the 2024 General Election.

As the skies opened up and the rain fell, a total of nearly 200,000 early voters across the state made their voices heard, picking everything from the President to their local sheriff. In the Midlands, there are close to 30 seats up for grabs in the South Carolina Statehouse, with many races being quite one-sided. It turns out that over 60% of this year’s Statehouse races in our area feature only one candidate.

House District 75 Stirs Up a Storm

One race that is anything but boring is for House District 75, where State Rep. Heather Bauer, a Democrat from Columbia, went toe-to-toe with former state Rep. Kirkman Finlay, a Republican. The competition was fierce as Bauer pulled ahead with a six-point margin of victory, according to the Associated Press, with over 95% of the votes counted.

The drama unfolded after Bauer, who had unseated Finlay two years ago by a slim 1.6-point margin, faced him again in a bid to hold onto her seat. In that first encounter, she campaigned hard against abortion restrictions that followed the controversial overturning of Roe v. Wade. This time, the candidates locked horns over the Richland One school district, which has been mired in controversies, capturing the attention of both the S.C. Department of Education and voters.

Finlay took aim at the district’s leadership and backed school choice policies, while Bauer, on the other hand, pushed for greater accountability within the struggling education system. The stakes were high, and with campaign finances also a hot topic, Bauer raised 40% more than Finlay, collecting about $200,000 compared to Finlay’s $138,000.

Other Races Heat Up

Beyond House District 75, results from other major races are rolling in. Russell Ott, a Democrat, successfully defeated Republican Jason Guerry for Senate District 26 with a solid 10-point lead. Ott emphasized bipartisanship as a cornerstone of his campaign, expressing heartfelt gratitude to voters for their support.

In another closely watched district, Senate District 35, incumbent D. Mike Fanning narrowly lost to Republican Everett Stubbs by just 34 votes. This close result indicates a shift in the political landscape, particularly in a district that has typically leaned blue. Fanning, an ex-school teacher and advocate for education, served since 2016, while Stubbs has taken a stand on more traditional right-wing issues.

With former Democratic lawmaker Thomas McElveen stepping down, a shifting tide in South Carolina politics beckoned, and Mike Jones seized the opportunity to challenge Democrat Jeffrey Graham in the newly opened seat. As of the latest updates, Graham leads with 52% of the votes.

It’s A Wrap for Now

As the rain keeps coming down and election results settle in, Columbia seems to be weathering more than just soppy skies. Folks are reflecting on a fiercely contested election season with plenty of ups and downs, as candidates battled it out not just on the issues, but also to earn the trust of voters across the state.

So, grab your umbrella and stay tuned, Columbia! It’s clear this election was just the beginning, and there’s plenty more to come.