Horry County voters flock to polls for SC Republican primary

Horry County residents turned out in strong numbers to cast their votes in the South Carolina Republican primary on Saturday, causing lines at one precinct to spill out the front door and into the parking lot.

More than 1,200 voters had cast ballots by 5 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Fire Training Station off Harrelson Boulevard near Kings Highway, and several said they supported New York businessman Donald Trump.

“We want change, we want America back,” said Ken Thompson, who along with his wife voted for the frontrunner.

Strong voter turnout was expected in Horry County and statewide to pick the winner of the first in the South primary, which has been a bare-knuckle campaign among the six remaining candidates. Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz were accused of negative campaigning, and Trump threatened to sue Cruz unless the Texan apologized for running ads that criticized Trump on conservative issues.

All of the candidates made campaign stops in the Myrtle Beach area, including several stops in the past few days, in a last-minute bid to win support along the Grand Strand.

Chris Petrik said he supported Trump because he agreed with him on issues involving immigration and reducing the national debt. “The country needs to be run like a business,” Petrik said.

Several voters interviewed said they were supporting other candidates because they did not like Trump’s style, and some doubted he could beat Hillary Clinton in the general election if she is picked as the Democrats’ nominee.

Jon Erler said he was a Trump supporter until he heard radio commercials that criticized the New Yorker for using profanity during several public appearances.

“We can’t have a potty mouth in White House. How can he talk like that to leaders of other countries?” said Erler, who voted for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at the Salem Methodist Church in Conway.

Lora Ranger, who cast her ballot at the North Myrtle Beach Fire Station in Windy Hill, didn’t mince words when explaining why she voted for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

“He’s a nice change, and he’s not a loudmouth,” Ranger said.

Michael Casalena, who voted for Cruz at the North Myrtle Beach precinct, said he didn’t like any of the Republican candidates, but Cruz was the strongest contender to beat the eventual Democratic nominee.

“He’s the only one who has any kind of hope for winning,” Casalena said. “I’m making a stand for Republicans – as long as it ain’t Trump.”

But Trump voters enthusiastically turned out in large numbers, reflecting the thousands of supporters who showed up at his recent Grand Strand appearances.

“We need someone who can beat Hillary, and I think Trump can do it,” said Aundra Watson, who voted at the Tilly Swamp Baptist Church in Conway. Many voters said they chose to support Cruz or Ben Carson based on the candidates’ Christian values.

“I voted for Ben Carson because of his faith,” said Elise Cirignano, who doesn’t usually vote in the primaries, but wanted to show her support for Carson because she felt he had faded from the race.

Cirignano had the rare opportunity to vote for two, as she is about eight months pregnant with her first child. Her husband, Ryan, was at her side and said he initially supported Carson, but switched to Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

“He’s [Carson] not the greatest speaker, and I think that’s actually hurting him. But maybe that’s what we need — someone who’s cerebral and thinks and uses their mind. … But when it came down to it, my vote had to be for Kasich because he has the most experience and turned my former state around,” said Ryan Cirignano, a 33-year-old Ohio native who is also a graphic designer and U.S. Navy veteran.

Jae Anderson, 45, who had her husband and children in tow, also voted at the Forestbrook Elementary School precinct, casting her vote for Trump.

“I feel like he’s the best choice for my family,” she said.

The precinct at Forestbrook Elementary School also had a strong turnout with 450 voters casting ballots before noon.

“We’re seeing a large number of people, and we’re happy about it,” said Tellatha Hemingway, clerk and poll manager, who has been working the polls at that location for the past 10 years.

Some voters expressed frustration toward all the phone calls and fliers from the GOP candidates, but Anderson said she wasn’t bothered by all the eager presidential hopefuls.

“I think it’s interesting to go through the process [of voting], and I think it’s interesting for our children and our students to experience it as well,” said Anderson, who is an assistant principal with Horry County Schools.

Debbie Poat, 69, who voted at the Carolina Forest High School location, said she chose Cruz.

“I voted for Cruz because he’ll be presidential. He has a filter, and he knows the constitution,” she said.

This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Horry County voters flock to polls for SC Republican primary."