South Carolina voters elect new leadership to US Senate, governor’s office: What they said

SOUTH CAROLINA (WBTV) - While election results are still being finalized South Carolina voters made some big decisions on Election Day.

Nearly two million ballots were cast in South Carolina’s midterm election. State officials say it’s a record turnout representing about 56% of registered voters. Voters say they hope that participation leads to real change.

“I kind of feel that midterms a lot of people kind of skip over the midterms. Maybe they don’t feel there’s a lot of impact. Obviously, looking at the results from the nation. It was a huge impact,” Keith Hoppers said.

Two of the biggest races were for governor and the U.S. Senate.

Republican Alan Wilson won the governor’s race while Democrat Annie Andrews won the Senate seat.

“I was just really surprised. I’m happy about the results. I’m surprised I mean some of the states that have been flipped. I just I’m speechless,” Vernadette Williams said.

There were also important local races.

In Chester County, John Agee was the projected winner in the District 1 County Council race against Felicia Stevenson. This summer, Agee had been suspended by Governor McMaster after being indicted in connection with allegations involving the Richburg Fire Protection District.

In Chesterfield County, James Dixon was the projected winner of the sheriff’s race against incumbent Cambo Streater. Voters in the county also approved a penny sales tax to help pay for a new detention center and capital projects with 72% of people voting yes.

WBTV asked people what they want to see from the people now stepping into leadership roles across the state.

“Just change. I mean, we’ve all been looking for change and I don’t think anybody’s been happy about you know what we’ve been going through. So, I’m just hoping that this will turn everything around,” Williams said.

“Unity. We, as a nation division is a hard-core reality and we all need to get together and figure out how to make the American way better,” Hoppers said.

Election results will be certified in South Carolina over the next few days.