Lowcountry Sens. John Kuhn and Bill Branton lost re-election bids Tuesday to a pair of veteran public servants seeking higher office.

Former state Rep. Chip Campsen of Charleston easily outdistanced Kuhn, while Dorchester County Council Chairman Randy Scott beat Branton in Republican primary runoff elections, according to unofficial returns.

Meanwhile, Anderson businessman Kevin Bryant defeated former state Rep. Chuck Allen in the Upstate Republican primary runoff. Bryant faces Democrat Mike Mullinax in November.

Campsen, a former top aide to Gov. Mark Sanford, attributed his victory to support from Henry Fishburne, who did not make Tuesday’s runoff election. Campsen also said his conservative message hit home with voters.

“It’s nice to taste victory after all the work we’ve done the past few months,” Campsen said.

Campsen will run against Democrat Constance Anastopoulo in November.

The Republican primary for Kuhn’s seat provided some of the most explosive debate of any Senate primary race this year.

Kuhn, chosen in a special election three years ago, claimed the governor was privately backing Campsen. Kuhn became embroiled in a shouting match this past spring with First Lady Jenny Sanford after she contributed money to Campsen’s campaign.

“The governor’s office ... has been very much involved in this race,” Kuhn said before Tuesday night’s results came in.

Sanford spokesman Chris Drummond said the governor didn’t endorse either candidate. He called Kuhn’s attacks “personal and reckless.”

Campsen declined Tuesday to discuss Kuhn’s accusations.

“We just focused on our message, and we didn’t get off our game plan,” said Campsen, who supports government restructuring and improved ways to pass legislation in the Senate. “That message resonated with folks in the district.”

Scott likely will win Branton’s seat since he has no Democratic opposition. Branton has served two different times in the Senate, once in the 1980s and most recently since 1997.

Allen and Bryant were in a virtual dead heat during the June 8 primary, but Bryant held a decided advantage over Allen on Tuesday before winning outright. They are seeking to replace retiring Sen. Bob Waldrep, R-Anderson.