US House District 7 Democratic primary runoff ends with slim margin

South Carolina state house Representative Robert Williams defeated challenger Mal Hyman in the U.S. House of Representative District 7 Democratic primary runoff Tuesday night by fewer than 500 votes, according to unofficial results.

As the full results came in after midnight, Hyman said he would not concede. "There's a lot of unanswered questions. We want to make sure every vote is counted," he said through a campaign representative.

The state will certify the votes from the eight counties that cover District 7 later this week. The district represents voters in Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Dillon, Florence, Darlington, Marlboro and Chesterfield counties.

Hyman, a sociology professor at Coker College, came in second to Williams in the June 12 Democratic primary.

In a statement Wednesday, Williams said, “It was a long night, but one that gave us a victory. We have always said that every vote counts. My family and I are truly humbled by the results."

He added, "We have just begun our fight for the citizens of our district and we look forward to a vigorous campaign against our opponent Tom Rice this summer and fall.”

Williams won the runoff with 51.4 percent of the votes, according to South Carolina Election Commission. Williams received 7,702 votes to Hyman's 7,282.

Williams will face incumbent Republican and Myrtle Beach resident Tom Rice in the general election on Nov. 6.

Incumbent Governor Henry McMaster defeated challenger John Warren with more than 53 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results. McMaster will face Democratic challenger and South Carolina State Representative James Smith in the general election.

Total turnout in Horry County was about 13 percent, according to the state Election Commission. Statewide turnout was about 12.5 percent.

This story was originally published June 27, 2018 at 12:51 AM with the headline "US House District 7 Democratic primary runoff ends with slim margin."