FLORENCE, S.C. - The state Supreme Court turned down efforts to overturn a state Democratic Party decision ordering a new primary for the state Sen. Maggie Glover's seat.

"The decision of the state Democratic Party's Executive Committee stands, so it's now up to the governor to set an election date," said Bill Woods, a lawyer for candidate Tim Norwood.

But Gov. Mark Sanford will wait until Glover's federal lawsuit is resolved before he addresses the issue, his spokesman Will Folks said Wednesday.

In the June 8 primary, Norwood appeared to be in a runoff with Glover. But a recount later that week found Marion County Deputy Administrator Kent Williams in the runoff with seven more votes than Norwood.

Norwood then appealed the results and brought allegations of voting fraud to the state party. The party threw out the results and ordered a new primary with Glover, Williams and Norwood on the ballot.

The decision pleased Norwood. The district's voters will "finally get a fair election without the influence of good old boy politicians," Norwood said.

When Sanford sets a primary date, Norwood will face renewed challenges from Williams.

"You know, I don't think the people of Senate District 30 want a candidate based on who has the most expensive lawyers," Williams said. "Mr. Norwood may see this as a victory right now, but he'll have some pretty tough questions to answer in the coming days, not only about his outlandish spending in this race but also about his past record."

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Information from: Morning News, http://www.morningnewsonline.com/