In national politics, Donald J. Trump retained his overwhelming support in South Carolina and Laurens County; and, in local politics, the District 56 school board seat was earned by former Clinton High coach and administrator Sean McCarthy.
Trump captured SC's vote, 1.4 Million to Kamala Harris' 951,302. Both candidates early on accepted that South Carolina would not be a "battleground state" and did not actively campaign here for the General Election. Trump was active in SC during the Republican primary as he was challenged by, among others, former SC Governor Nikki Haley. Nationwide, as of 12:40 am Nov. 6, Trump leads in his 3rd bid for the US Presidency, 246 to 182 Electoral College votes. It doesn't matter who wins the popular vote; the election comes down to victory in a handful of battleground states - Trump won the first two of these in North Carolina and Georgia, projections say.
It takes 270 Electoral College votes to be considered the winner (pending certification by Congress in early January). Trump has more than 63 Million nationwide votes, according to CNN.
Trump's SC margin of victory was 58.5% to Harris' 40.1% -- Trump won Laurens County 70% to Harris' 29%.
The turnout in South Carolina was 71.97%. The Laurens County turnout was larger - 75.99% with 29% early voting.
That's 2.4 Million ballots cast of 3.3 Million registered voters - 1.5 Million SC voters cast their ballots in 2 weeks of early voting.
Most Laurens County races were uncontested as Republicans hold a vast majority of elected positions in the county. Some results of interest are:
US House 3: Sheri Biggs (R-Anderson) 235,938; Bryon Best 84,416. Incumbent Republican Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens, did not seek re-election.
SC Senate 9: Danny Verdin (R) 38,182; Randy Driggers 16,102.
SC House 14: Luke Rankin (R) 13,861; writein: 450.
SC House 42: Doug Gilliam (R-Clinton-Union) 11,268; David Gossett 5,286.
8th Circuit Solicitor: David Stumbo (R) 69,386; writein: 556.
District 56 School Board: Sean McCarthy 336; Charles Stinson (incumbent) 289.
Laurens County Council - District 6 (part of Clinton): Arthur Philson, 1,831; incumbent Dianne Anderson, 1,387.
Question: Gray Court water to the Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission: Yes 84.6%, No 15.4%.
The votes will be certified Thursday by the Laurens County Elections Board, serving as the Board of Canvassers.
