Republicans held a 21-seat edge over the Democrats going into the day. On paper, 124 House seats were in play Tuesday, but fewer than three dozen of those seats were expected to be filled by candidates who faced opposition.

"In the House, you may see two or three incumbents turned out, but less than a quarter of the House seats are contested, and less than half are really competitive," said Bill Moore, a political science professor at the College of Charleston. "So I don't see any significant changes there."

In the six contested races in the Lowcountry, voters chose experienced veterans over newcomers touting change.

DISTRICT 119: ALTMAN DEFEATS SMITH

Republican Rep. John Graham Altman III won his fifth term in his second face-off with Democratic challenger Charlie Smith in District 119, which extends from West Ashley to Seabrook and Kiawah islands.

With all of the precincts reporting, Altman had 53 percent of the vote, while Smith had 47 percent.

Altman said the margin of victory was much narrower than he expected.

"The Democrats really did an excellent job in targeting new voters," he said. "I congratulate them politically. They did everything they had to do and it almost worked."

Smith refused to concede, saying he had several concerns about voting irregularities in a St. Andrews precinct. He said there were problems with paper ballots and a broken voting machine.

"We had a great race. We feel good about it," he said. "I don't think anyone in the Legislature has seen something like this before, such a grassroots effort."

In the final days of the campaign, each man stumped in his own way. Smith, 44, zipped around the district's neighborhoods on a Segway electric scooter, reciting controversial Altman quotes. Altman canvassed shopping centers, avoiding mention of his opponent's name as he stuck to his longtime theme of keeping taxes down.

The race was not nearly as contentious as their first match-up in 2002, when Altman soundly defeated Smith, garnering nearly 60 percent of the vote.

That race was defined by Altman's attacks on Smith's homosexuality, a tactic that drew national media attention and framed the easily digestible packaging: The gay Democrat vs. the social conservative.

Altman, a 70-year-old lawyer, contends Smith's openly gay lifestyle is a sin. Smith, a real estate company owner, said Altman is a symbol of the divisive politics of the Old South.

The name-calling continued this year, when a month out from Election Day, the candidates rallied their respective supporters with inflammatory fundraising e-mails.

Altman charged that Smith was a member of a "militant homosexual lobby" intent on destroying traditional American values. Smith countered, calling Altman a "bigot" and "national embarrassment."

But that would be the only public volley. In subsequent election preview interviews with The Post and Courier, Smith and Altman stuck to the issues facing the district.

It turned out that the two South Carolina natives occasionally see eye to eye. Both support Gov. Mark Sanford's reformist agenda and both want a portion of state lottery revenues spent on K-12 education.

DISTRICT 97: BAILEY DOWNS MCINTOSH

Republican incumbent George Bailey survived accusations of ethical lapses to recapture the S.C. House seat he has held for 20 years, defeating Democratic challenger Lachlan McIntosh in the District 97 race.

With 95 percent of the precincts reporting, Bailey had 52 percent of the vote, compared to 48 percent for McIntosh.

"I just want to tell the people how appreciative and grateful I am that they trusted me," Bailey said. "There was a lot of trash thrown out in this race and I thank the people for sticking with me."

Bailey, a nine-term veteran of the House district that includes St. George, had been under fire from the Democratic Party since abruptly jumping to the Republican ticket in March. The 67-year-old lawmaker waited until the last filing day to make the switch, catching Democratic party leaders off-guard and leaving himself as the only person in the race.

After a court complaint, McIntosh, a former aide to Gov. Jim Hodges, was allowed to file as the Democratic Party challenger. Bailey said he saw nothing wrong with the switch.

The Democrats also challenged several claims in Bailey's resume, including assertions that he graduated from a prestigious university in Virginia and was a Marine Corps veteran. He later acknowledged that he attended Lee Institute School of Real Estate in Brookline, Mass., not Washington and Lee University. He also clarified his resume to say he was in the Marine Reserve rather than a corps veteran.

Much of the debate during the race focused on education spending and job creation in St. George and rural Dorchester County.

"I want to congratulate Mr. Bailey on a hard-fought race," McIntosh said. "I will do anything I can to help him in Dorchester County."

DISTRICT 115: SCARBOROUGH TRUMPS PROCACCINI

In District 115 on James Island, Republican incumbent Wallace Scarborough fended off a challenge from Frank Procaccini, a political newcomer who entered the race after the Democratic Party's initial nominee withdrew.

With all of the precincts reporting, Scarborough, the House Banking Subcommittee chairman and a strong backer of reforms sought by Gov. Sanford, had 62 percent of the vote. Procaccini had 38 percent.

"That's a landslide, that's a mandate," Scarborough said of his victory margin. "I am proud and very humbled by the support the people of James Island and Folly Beach have given me."

Scarborough, 45, who is vice president-corporate secretary of Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Co., was elected to the House in 2000 and re-elected in 2002. While campaigning for a third term he cited his support for education and schools, and his sponsorship of the bill that got South Carolina into the Powerball lottery, which has provided money for education.

The James Island Republican pledged to remain a strong supporter of Sanford's proposals for restructuring state government and to push for tort reform, which he said would help local businesses grow and lure more businesses to the state.

Procaccini, 57, is owner of Alternative Real Estate Co., a fee-for-service brokerage firm, and was seeking office for the first time.

The Democrats' first choice for the race withdrew because of job-related problems. Procaccini was placed on the ballot in early October after a court overturned a ruling by the elections board that would have left Scarborough without an opponent. The state Republican Party had argued Democrats advertised the vacancy for just a few days, not the recognized standard of two weeks.

DISTRICT 113: WHIPPER DEFEATS WATSON

In the District 113 race in North Charleston, Democratic incumbent J. Seth Whipper handily defeated Republican newcomer Troy Watson.

With all precincts reporting, Whipper had 65 percent of the vote to Watson's 35 percent.

"I proclaim the wisdom and insight of the constituents," Whipper said. "They recognize that their future is better in my hands."

Whipper, 55, a preacher's son who grew up in Liberty Hill, has held the position for 10 years and, until this year, hadn't faced opposition since he was first elected. An attorney and former Charleston County magistrate, he is co-owner of Whipper Law Firm. Last year he helped restart a defunct PTA at North Charleston High School.

Watson, 33, was raised in Irmo and moved in 1997 to the Oak Park community to be close to family and begin a career in politics. Watson, president of the Oak Park/Cameron Terrace Civic Club, is a community liaison for the North Charleston News and for four years has written a weekly column, "Citizens Speak," for the newspaper.

"I still haven't lost," Watson said. "I may not have received as many votes, but it's hard to say you've lost after meeting all the wonderful people that I've met."

Whipper pledged to offer legislation to put a counselor in every school, and he favors an increased tax on cigarettes to help pay for more affordable and improved health care.

DISTRICT 102: JEFFERSON PREVAILS OVER DUNNING

Democrat Joe Jefferson captured the District 102 seat in Berkeley County, winning by a comfortable margin over Republican challenger Lisa Dunning.

With nearly all precincts reporting results, Jefferson had captured 62 percent of the vote. Dunning had 38 percent.

"I feel fortunate in that so many people have seen fit to support me," Jefferson said. "The first order of business is to find out exactly what my duties will be up there in Columbia."

Jefferson, 54, had been predicted to win. The Pineville resident ran as a Democrat in a mostly Democratic area. He had served four years as a Berkeley County magistrate, 11 years as a Berkeley County School Board member and nine years as a staffer for Rep. Mendel Davis.

Dunning, 34, an emergency medical technician from Cross, was disappointed by the loss, but took solace in a Republican majority in the Statehouse.

"The political process does not stop with people voting today," she said. "The answer is not always more money for more programs to fix our problems."

Jefferson will take over the House seat vacated by Democrat Amos Gourdine, a four-term office holder who stepped down to spend more time with his family.

DISTRICT 108: MILLER EDGES SMITH

In the race for House District 108, four-term incumbent Democrat Vida Miller was poised to defeat Republican Charles Smith and win re-election.

With 91 percent of the precincts reporting, Miller led Smith 55 percent to 45 percent.

District 108 includes eastern Georgetown County, and McClellanville and Awendaw in Charleston County.

"Every race is a tough race, but this one was tougher. The governor and the Republican party were more involved than in previous races," Miller said. "I'm grateful for the support in Charleston and Georgetown counties."

Miller pledged to support efforts to improve public education, make communities viable places for businesses to invest and protect the coastal environment.

Smith's campaign focused on streamlining government, tort reform and local control.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the campaign and the support I received," Smith said.

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