The S.C. Supreme Court denied Tuesday two petitions filed by state Senate District 30 candidates that asked the court to order a runoff election between incumbent Sen. Maggie Glover and Kent Williams.

Glover and Williams each filed petitions asking the court to overturn a decision by the S.C. Democratic Party’s Executive Committee to invalidate the June 8 primary election. The committee voted to throw out the election results after hearing a protest from candidate Tim Norwood alleging voting irregularities and illegalities.

Glover also filed a petition with U.S. District Court in Florence asking for a reversal of the party’s decision, but that petition has not been heard.

Norwood’s attorneys said the Supreme Court’s denial clears the way for a new election.

“The decision of the state Democratic Party’s Executive Committee stands, so it’s now up to the governor to set an election date,” said Bill Woods, who represented Norwood. Gov. Mark Sanford said he would not set a date until a decision is made by the Supreme Court. Woods said Glover’s petition in the federal courts does not affect Sanford’s responsibility to set a date.

The setting of a date for a new election must happen quickly, said Norwood attorney Jim Stuckey.

“The election must be certified by the State Election Commission in time for the Nov. 2 election,” Stuckey said.

Williams said he does not think the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear his petition will affect the outcome of an election.

“You know, I don’t think the people of Senate District 30 want a candidate based on who has the most expensive lawyers,” Williams said. “Mr. Norwood may see this as a victory right now, but he’ll have some pretty tough questions to answer in the coming days, not only about his outlandish spending in this race but also about his past record.”

Williams was referring to the fact that Norwood has spent more than $600,000 on his campaign. He would not elaborate on what he meant by Norwood’s past record.

Telephone calls to Glover’s campaign office were not answered Tuesday.

Norwood said he’s looking forward to a new election.

“I’m excited not only for the people who supported my campaign, but for the people of Senate District 30,” he said. “It means they’ll finally get a fair election without the influence of good old boy politicians.”

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