Neither earned a majority of votes Tuesday in a three-man race in the Republican primary. Scott took 40 percent of the votes to Branton's 33 percent. Former council Chairman Ben Cole finished third with 27 percent.

The runoff is set for June 22. There is no Democratic opposition, which means the winner likely will take office in January.

"I don't think I was surprised," Scott said of finishing as the top vote-getter. "I prayed hard, I worked hard, my family worked hard and I had a mag-nificent group of people helping me."

Scott, who owns an exterminating company, centered his campaign on his work ethic and availability to his constituents. In his seven years on council, he's never missed a council or committee meeting and has never been late, he said.

Branton, who owns a lumber company, centered his campaign on his political experience and seniority on the influential Senate Finance Committee.

"I'll be out there courting Mr. Cole's supporters," he said.

Cole, a retired Santee Cooper vice president, cited his leadership of the Regional Development Alliance, which was set up to create new jobs after the former Charleston Naval Base closed.

He said he has not thought about endorsing either candidate in the runoff.

"I hope we made people aware that the governor was elected to make changes in state government, and I just hope that who-ever comes out of this as the winner will really get behind the governor and help him get his agenda through next year," Cole said.

Dora Ann Reaves of The Post and Courier staff contributed to this story.

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