Columbia attorney Ken Wingate defeated Fifth Circuit Solicitor Barney Giese on Tuesday in the Republican primary for the state Senate seat being vacated by Giese’s father.

Wingate’s victory sets up a competitive — and expensive — battle in the fall for Senate District 22. He now faces state Rep. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

“I gave the voters my word that I would work day and night to improve education, to bring better jobs and to effect positive change in the S.C. state Senate,” Wingate said Tuesday night. “I believe they have accepted me at my word, and, for their trust, I’m very grateful.”

Wingate, 44, is a former GOP candidate for governor and the son-in-law of former Gov. Jim Edwards. He has served as an adviser to Gov. Mark Sanford, most notably as chairman of the governor’s commission on government reform.

Giese was vying for the chance to succeed his father, Sen. Warren Giese, who is retiring this year after serving in the Senate since 1985.

“It was disappointing,” Barney Giese said of the results. “Ken ran a really good campaign and should be proud of the work he did.”

Wingate benefited from a significant fund-raising advantage in his primary win.

Through May, Wingate raised nearly three times that of his opponent, taking in $183,000, compared to Giese’s $67,000, according to pre-election campaign filings. As a result, Wingate was able to buy more television advertising exposure than his rival.

Giese, 48, is the solicitor for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which includes Richland and Kershaw counties. Giese attributed his loss to his time commitments as solicitor, Wingate’s fund-raising advantage and low voter turnout.

“Obviously, I was very busy as a solicitor,” he said. “I was held back some.”

The race now turns to the fall contest. Lourie already had raised more than $200,000 for the race through April, according to campaign disclosures.

Reach Drake at (803) 771-8692 or jdrake@thestate.com