Runoff in District 17 House Race hangs on a Single Vote
Mike Burns and Chris Sullivan have learned the importance of just one vote in the recent Republican primary in House District 17. Had Burns received one more vote to add to his 1,117 vote count, he would have won the primary outright and there would have been no need for the expense and work involved in a runoff.
At 8:54 PM on January 22, Primary Day, the unofficial count by the Greenville County election office gave Burns 1,114 votes or 49.96 percent of the total 2,242 votes for 5 candidates.
There were 5 provisional ballots not counted until the vote was certified three days later. When the provisional ballots were counted, 3 had been cast for Burns and 2 for Sullivan.
When the totals were certified, Burns had 49.98 percent of the vote. He was one vote short of a clear win, making it necessary to schedule a runoff on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, to determine the Republican nominee to replace Tom Corbin who resigned when elected to fill the seat created by the mysterious surprise withdrawal of Phil Shoopman from the race.
No Democrat or other party candidate filed for the seat, therefore the winner of the Republican Primary runoff could be certified the winner and sworn in unless someone announces intentions of running as a write-in candidate, according to Conway Belangia, director of voter registration and elections. If there is an announced write-in candidate, the special election will be held on March 12, 2013.
Sullivan received 876 votes and 39.2 percent of the total. Roy Harmon received 143 votes and 6.4 percent, Tom Kolarik 75 votes and 3.36 percent and Randall Young 24 votes and 1 percent.
During a recount, election officials determined that 12 individuals signed up to vote but did not cast a ballot. This skewed the results and actually helped edge Burns closer to a win by reducing the total number of ballots cast. There is no way of determining who went through the process but did not vote.
Both candidates are collecting endorsements and making a dash for the finish line. Third place Republican primary candidate Roy Harmon has endorsed Chris Sullivan for the runoff.
“We need the expertise and energy that Chris can bring to Columbia and I encourage the voters in our district to make him our next representative,” said Harmon.
Both candidates have received endorsements from members of the legislature. Burns has the support of Senator Tom Corbin and Representatives Dwight Loftis, Phyllis Henderson and Dan Hamilton from Greenville County, plus Phillip Owens, a former business partner from Pickens County.
Sullivan is endorsed by Representatives Eric Bedingfield, Tommy Stringer, Bill Chumley and Senators Danny Verdin and Lee Bright, all members of the Greenville County Legislative Delegation and Senator Kevin Bryant from Anderson County.
Burns has invited District 17 voters to attend a “meet and greet” with him at Duke's Dogs on South Main Street in Travelers Rest, Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm.