In a close race in S.C. Senate District 29, Warren Arthur defeated Michael Holt by a mere 76 votes to win the Republican nomination.

Arthur garnered 50.68 percent of the vote with 2,824 votes, while Holt collected 49.32 percent with 2,748 votes.

"When I was in the House, they used to call me 'Landslide Arthur,' because I won one election by one vote and another by 25 votes so for me, 76 votes really is a landslide," Arthur said, laughing.

"But seriously, in the last weeks of the campaign, we felt like this was going to be a tight race," he said. "We're all very happy about the victory, and I'm just so thankful for all the people who supported us. I also want to congratulate the Holt campaign. They ran a clean fought campaign and just did a great job."

Arthur, a 55-year-old stockbroker, said jobs and economic development are the most important issues facing District 29, which encompasses Darlington County as well as portions of Chesterfield, Lee and Marlboro counties.

"Jobs -- I think that's the most important," he said. "And I believe that my background as a businessman puts me in the best position to promote economic development and job growth in the district."

Arthur is no stranger to the District 29 Senate race. He tried to obtain the seat almost two years ago when a special election was held to fill the position following the death of Sen. Edward Saleeby Sr. in July 2002. He ultimately lost the general election to Gerald Malloy of Hartsville.

Arthur will square off against Malloy once again in the general election in November.

"I'm looking forward to the fall campaign," Arthur said. "I'm going to take a few days off then we're going to go right back to work and get ready for November."