(Irmo) June 8, 2004 - It was a political upset in Irmo's South Carolina House District 71. First-time candidate Nathan Ballentine beat House Majority Leader Rick Quinn in a tight race 51% to 49% with 100% of precinct reporting.

Ballentine, 33, a vice-president of Wachovia mortgage. He stressed fiscal conservatism during the campaign. He credited a strong group of volunteers for pushing him over the top. He said Quinn called him to concede the race around 9:00pm. Speaker David Wilkins and Governor Mark Sanford put in congratulatory calls as well.

The race wasn't really expected to be competitive. Quinn has served in the House for the past 14 years, working his way up to the second ranking member and was considered Speaker Wilkins' right-hand man.

Ballentine said even he was a little overwhelmed, "I'm surprised. I'm confident in a lot of things, but I knew what I was up against. Rick has been an outstanding person, particularly as a majority leader. I just wanted to give a good showing. The community told me you could do the part, get out there. It just worked."

WIS News 10 spoke to Quinn late Tuesday evening by phone. He says there was a tide of anti-incumbent sentiment, but said he felt a sense of peace in the defeat. He says his duties as House Leader consumed so much of his time that he wasn't as visible as he should have been. He's looking to spending more time with his family and on his business.

As for Ballentine, there is no Democratic opposition in this race, so he is expected to win in November.

Updated 10:51pm by BrettWitt