Incumbents roll in State House races

By PHILIP LORD Senior writer

Rep. Jim Stewart, R-Aiken, easily defeated Constitution Party candidate Andy Windham to earn a second term in the S.C. House of Representatives.

Stewart tallied 8,140 votes to Windham's 1,192 votes in the race for the House 86 seat.

"I appreciate the race that my opponent ran," said Stewart. "He is a good person. He has his own agenda and wanted to get his message out there."

Stewart said he looked forward to the challenges facing him in a second term.

Contacted at his Wagener-area home, Windham said he felt voters heard his call for change and didn't answer that call.

"I think the Aiken Countians lost really," Windham said.

Stewart was not the only member of the S.C. House to sweep back into office Tuesday. Also elected were Reps. Robert S. "Skipper" Perry, R-Aiken; William Clyburn, D-Aiken; Don Smith, R-North Augusta; James Roland Smith, R-Warrenville; and Ken Clark, R-Swansea.

Perry received 12,868 votes compared to 90 writ-ins.

Don Smith had 6,381 votes compared to 23 write-ins. James Roland Smith had 6,960 votes compared to 39 write-ins and Clark had 439 votes compared to 9 write-ins.

"I am happy and gratified that I have been given this opportunity," said Perry.

Clyburn, who serves on the powerful House Ways and Means committee, said he looked forward to the financial challenges awaiting lawmakers, especially funding for education and Medicaid.

Don Smith said he was pleased not to face any opposition and looked forward to the challenges awaiting lawmakers in Columbia.

"I am just overwhelmed and humbled by the support the people of Aiken County have given me," said James Roland Smith.

Contact Philip Lord at plord@aikenstandard.com.

Copyright © 2003, The Aiken Standard