GOP incumbents win primaries in ag commissioner, SOS races

KATRINA A. JACKSON

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. - In races where incumbents are less recognizable than challengers in high profile contests, two Republican officeholders won their primaries Tuesday.

Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers withstood a challenge by William Bell and Secretary of State Mark Hammond fended off Bill McKown's effort to replace him on the ballot in November.

"I think our message got through to folks and that is that I've come in and tried to keep the agency running efficiently on behalf of the state's second-largest industry," said Weathers, 49.

Weathers was appointed to the post after former commissioner Charles Sharpe pleaded guilty to extortion after admitting he took a $10,000 bribe to protect a cockfighting organization.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Weathers had 57 percent of the vote.

"He's been in office and has done a good job," said Chappell Thomas, 70, of Columbia and a retired Army veteran who said he voted for Weathers.

Bell, 50, said the primary race brought attention to the office of agriculture commissioner. "I hate that I lost but we have brought a focus to this office that was needed in South Carolina," Bell said.

Bell faces Democrat Emile DeFelice, 39, in November.

In their campaigns, Weathers and Bell debated a proposal by Sanford to eliminate elections for the agriculture commissioner, secretary of state and most other statewide offices. Sanford says those positions should be appointed by the governor.

Bell said the position should be elected so a farmer is more likely to hold the post, while Weathers said he does not oppose the idea of future agriculture commissioners being appointed.

"With the proper criteria, the industry can be served through the appointment process, but those criteria are a critical part of that," he said.

In the GOP primary for secretary of state, incumbent Hammond got 55 percent of the vote Tuesday with 98 percent of precincts reporting. McKown received 39 percent and a third candidate who withdrew too late to have his name removed from ballots, L.W. Flynn, got a little more than 6 percent of the vote.

"I think the voters decided to support a positive campaign," said Hammond, 42. "They rejected my opponent's mean-spirited and negative campaign and I appreciate that."

Hammond and McKown were often at odds over the role of the secretary of state.

"I think the people of South Carolina know more about this office than some people give them credit for," Hammond said. "I think they are interested in streamlining government and saving taxpayers money."

McKown, 49, did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday night.

Hammond faces Democrat Cheryl Footman, 49, this fall.