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Greenwood follows S.C. primary trend
Edwards captures county vote
February 4, 2004
By
WALLACE McBRIDE
and TASHA STEIMER
Index-Journal staff writers
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Elease Spearman casts her ballot at the Greenwood Civic Center during Tuesday’s Democratic presidential primary.
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In January, John Edwards asked Greenwood County voters to give him a shot at George W. Bush in November’s election.
More than a few were listening, as Edwards captured 45 percent of the votes cast in Tuesday’s Democratic Party primary.
About 3,500 voters turned out for the primary, a number much higher than local pundits had predicted.
“Not too long ago, I would have been happy if we had 1,500 people turn out,” said Norval Davis, Greenwood County Democratic Party chairman. “A year ago, there was no interest in it — most people you’d ask wouldn’t even know who was running.”
John Kerry came in second in Greenwood County’s primary, winning 31 percent of the votes.
The runners-up were distant — Al Sharpton was third with 10 percent, while Wesley Clark had 6 percent of the vote.
Howard Dean captured 4 percent of the vote, while Joe Lieberman — who withdrew from the race early in the evening — took in 3 percent.
Dean’s downward slide may be the result of too much, too soon, Davis said.
“Dean peaked too early,” he said. “He reached his peak 30 days ago, just before the Iowa caucus. I think the other candidates picked up on a lot of the issues he was talking about — he helped them a lot.”
Despite his modest numbers, Sharpton has also proven to be a benefit in Democratic efforts, he said.
“Al Sharpton has said some things a lot of them were afraid to say, but now they’re all saying it,” Davis said.
With 15 votes, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich barely outpaced two rivals no longer in the race — Dick Gephardt and Carol Moseley Braun, who combined for 9 votes despite abandoning their campaigns in recent weeks.
In Abbeville County, Edwards came out on top, receiving 50 percent of 2,183 votes cast.
Kerry followed with 29 percent of the vote, Sharpton received 9 percent, Clark received 7 percent, Dean received 4 percent, Lieberman received 1 percent, and Kucinich got five votes.
“You always wish it was better, but I thought it was pretty good for a presidential (primary) election,” said Remle Johnson, chairman for the county Democratic Party.
In McCormick County, Kerry was the favorite. He took in 43 percent of the vote, followed by Edwards with 32 percent.
Sharpton received 9 percent in McCormick County, Clark received 7 percent, Dean received 4.3 percent, and Lieberman received 4 percent.
Kucinich received six votes, while Braun and Gephardt each received one vote.
Jerry Goldman, first vice chair of the county Democratic Party, said voter turnout was lower than expected.
“I’m a little disappointed about the turnout,” he said. “I would have liked to see more people come out. It seems people are more involved in other things and not politics but they affect their lives more than they realize.”
In Saluda County, Edwards received 48 percent of the 1,454 ballots cast.
Kerry followed with 32 percent, Sharpton got 7 percent, Clark received 6 percent, Dean received 5 percent, Lieberman received 1.8 percent and Kucinich received one vote.
Braun and Gephardt each received five votes.
Sharon Holloway, chairman of the county Democratic Party, said turnout was slightly higher than she expected.
“I think people are ready for a change in our national level of government,” she said. “I think people would have come out anyway because they’re ready for change.”
In Laurens County, Edwards led the pack with 50 percent of the vote. Kerry followed with 27 percent, Sharpton had 10 percent, Clark received 7 percent, Dean received 3 percent, Lieberman got 3 percent, and Kucinich received nine votes.
Lumus Byrd, chairman of the county Democratic Party, said turnout was close to expectations, and he praised the efficiency of the county’s 34 precincts.
“I was very pleased that all the precincts were open and ready by 6:45 a.m.,” he said.
“Everything worked well in Laurens County, and I’m just elated and happy the day is over.”
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