Mullinax wins Democratic nomination

By Emily Huigens and Kelly Davis
Independent-Mail
June 8, 2004

The race to replace retiring District 3 state Sen. Bob Waldrep was narrowed in Tuesday’s primary election, with Mike Mullinax winning the Democratic nomination and Republicans Chuck Allen and Kevin Bryant facing each other in a June 22 runoff.

Candidates must receive 50 percent of the votes to avoid a runoff. Mr. Allen, a recent convert from the Democratic Party, garnered 38 percent of the votes for the Republican nomination, with 4,867, compared to 4,678 for Mr. Bryant and 3,324 for Ron Wilson.

All vote totals are unofficial.

Registered voters are eligible to cast ballots in the Republican runoff for the seat except those who cast ballots in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

Mr. Allen, 45, is an Anderson attorney and former state House representative. He lost his seat to Republican Rep. Brian White in 2000 and a 2002 bid to reclaim the seat. His success in Tuesday’s primary came after a campaign that included television ads, phone calls and a blitz of direct mailings to District 3 residents.

"I expected a runoff from day one," Mr. Allen said. "We’re prepared to go and win this election now. We consider we won tonight, and we’re going to win again in two weeks."

Mr. Bryant, 37, is a father of three children and part-owner of Bryant Pharmacy. He is the previous chairman of the Anderson County Republican Party.

"I had two opponents who ran good races," he said Tuesday night. "We’re glad to be in it. We’ll keep doing the same thing. I have been spending a lot of time in Powdersville, and we’ll spend some more."

Mr. Wilson, 57, is a precious metals broker from Easley and commander-in-chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which has more than 30,000 members.

The winner of the runoff will face Mr. Mullinax, who defeated Ed Allgood 980 to 638 to obtain the Democratic nomination.

Mr. Mullinax, 59, lives and practices law in Anderson. He had the most direct experience of all of the candidates, having served as District 3 senator from 1989 to 1993 before Sen. Waldrep won the seat.

"I’m very proud of that and very humble," he said. "It’s a validation of the fact that the leadership I’ve had had an impact on the voters. The tide is turning."

Mr. Allgood, 64, of Pendleton is retired and previously owned Allgood Tires. He has served on the Anderson County Council and the Anderson County Planning Commission.

Emily Huigens can be reached at (800) 859-6397, Ext. 326 or by e-mail at huigensee@IndependentMail.com.

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