| Local races may affect turnout U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings' seat has had a Democrat's name stamped on it for almost 40 years. On Tuesday, voters will select the Republican Party's best chance at changing that - either former Gov. David Beasley or 4th District U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint. Of six candidates who spent much of the past year angling to win the party's nomination, they're the only ones left. Whoever prevails will face Democratic candidate and state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum in the November general election. Mr. Beasley, who lives in Society Hill, in the Pee Dee region, entered the race late but rode strong name recognition to a first-place finish in the June 8 primary, capturing 37 percent of the vote. In the weeks leading up to the runoff, the former governor has emphasized his conservative family values, a strong national defense and, perhaps more than any other issue, stricter trade negotiations with foreign countries. Mr. DeMint, who has served in the U.S. House since 1999 and lives in Greenville, shares Mr. Beasley's conservative tilt and agrees on a strong defense but differs radically with the former governor on free trade. He is unflinching in his support of trade with foreign countries. He says it can boost the economy, while Mr. Beasley points out the hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs South Carolina has lost to countries such as China. The issue has been a key theme throughout the race, but since the primary, Mr. DeMint has taken aim at Mr. Beasley's record as governor, painting him as "wishy-washy" in one TV commercial. In debates and on the stump, he has talked about how Mr. Beasley supported having the Confederate flag atop the Statehouse and then backed away from the position. He pointed out how Mr. Beasley did the same with video gambling, eventually pushing to have it outlawed. Mr. DeMint says Mr. Beasley's "flip-flopping" is a serious issue to voters. The one-time governor says it's negative campaigning, which Mr. DeMint pledged not to do. It's not helping either candidate, said Bob Botsch, a political science professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken. "Inez Tenenbaum probably benefits the most," he said. Turnout historically drops for primary runoffs, when party loyalists are the most likely to vote. In 2002, turnout dropped from 385,000 in the Republican gubernatorial primary to 305,000 in the runoff between Gov. Mark Sanford and then-Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler. More voters are likely to turn out in counties that also have runoff elections at the local level, which could affect totals in key counties for the candidates. In Greenville County, for example, where Mr. DeMint won his largest block of votes, there is a runoff for a county council seat. In Horry County, where Mr. Beasley did well, there is no local contest that might attract more voters. The Senate runoff is the only race on the ballot in Aiken, though election officials expect turnout to hover at about 9,000 voters, about 13 percent, slightly less than the primary turnout. The only people who can't vote Tuesday are those who voted in the Democratic primary. DAVID BEASLEY AGE: 47 FAMILY: Wife, Mary Wood Payne; four children EDUCATION: Attended Clemson University, 1976-1978; graduate of the University of South Carolina, 1979; law degree, USC School of Law EMPLOYMENT: Attorney; senior bond adviser for Merrill Lynch JIM DeMINT AGE: 52 FAMILY: Wife, Debbie Henderson; four children EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, University of Tennessee, 1973; master of business administration, Clemson University, 1983 EMPLOYMENT: Former owner of the DeMint Group, an Upstate advertising, marketing and strategic-planning firm Reach Josh Gelinas at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or josh.gelinas@augustachronicle.com.
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