MYRTLE BEACH — There will be a runoff election for Horry County Council chairman, and Mark Lazarus is one of those who will take part.

The question now is, who will be his competition in the March 26 recount?

With 125 precincts reporting in at the end of Tuesday’s special primary election, former councilman Lazarus had 41 percent of the total vote, according to unofficial results. A runoff is required if someone doesn’t wind up with more than 50 percent of the total vote. If that happens, the top two vote-getters will face off.

“We are excited that more voters placed their faith in us than any other candidate,” Lazarus said after all results were in.

Lazarus held a comfortable lead throughout the night, but the real fireworks were between current council member Allen and local businesswoman Debbie Harwell for second place.

Unofficial results have the two separated by less than one percent.

Lisa Bourcier, Horry County spokeswoman, said local election officials will consult Wednesday with the state Election Commission to determine if a recount is warranted in this case.

Depending on what is decided, it would be up to local officials to order the recount, Bourcier said. That wouldn’t happen until after the certification hearing at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Messages left for Allen and Harwell weren’t returned before press time.

Tuesday’s primary is a special election to fill the seat vacated by former chairman Tom Rice.

Following the March 26 runoff, there will be a general election on April 30.

However, since all the candidates are Republican, the winner of either Tuesday’s primary or the runoff seems almost certain to be the ultimate victor.

Contact reporter BRAD DICKERSON at 626-0301.