Washington: Nikki Haley won the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina on Tuesday, a commanding victory that elevates her to become one of the leading faces of the national Republican Party and places her within one step of being elected this fall as the state's first female governor.
Representative Bob Inglis, a six-term Republican from South Carolina, was defeated in a runoff election. He became the fifth incumbent congressman or senator to be turned out of office in the latest round of primaries that have upended the midterm election year.
Republicans also nominated Tim Scott in his bid to become South Carolina's first black Republican member of Congress in more than a century. He handily defeated Paul Thurmond, son of the late Senator Strom Thurmond, for the right to represent a district that includes the historic site of Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. He is poised to become the first black Republican in Congress since J.C. Watts of Oklahoma retired seven years ago.
Voters in North Carolina, Mississippi and Utah also selected their nominees on Tuesday in races for the House, Senate and a variety of local offices. The results amplified the anti-establishment, anti-incumbency mood that has shaken Republicans and Democrats alike and altered the landscape for both parties
Representative Bob Inglis, a six-term Republican from South Carolina, was defeated in a runoff election. He became the fifth incumbent congressman or senator to be turned out of office in the latest round of primaries that have upended the midterm election year.
Republicans also nominated Tim Scott in his bid to become South Carolina's first black Republican member of Congress in more than a century. He handily defeated Paul Thurmond, son of the late Senator Strom Thurmond, for the right to represent a district that includes the historic site of Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. He is poised to become the first black Republican in Congress since J.C. Watts of Oklahoma retired seven years ago.
Voters in North Carolina, Mississippi and Utah also selected their nominees on Tuesday in races for the House, Senate and a variety of local offices. The results amplified the anti-establishment, anti-incumbency mood that has shaken Republicans and Democrats alike and altered the landscape for both parties
In North Carolina, Elaine Marshall won the Democratic nomination to challenge Senator Richard Burr, a Republican, in November. Ms. Marshall, the secretary of state, defeated Cal Cunningham, a former Army prosecutor, whose candidacy was supported by Democratic leaders in Washington.
For all the unexpected turns of this midterm election cycle, few campaigns have produced as much drama as the Republican governor's race in South Carolina. With nearly all precincts reporting, Ms. Haley led Representative Gresham Barrett, a four-term congressman, 65 percent to 35 percent.
Ms. Haley, a first-generation American of Indian descent, would also become the first member of a racial minority to be governor of South Carolina. She overcame allegations about infidelity in her marriage, ethnic slurs and questions about her religious background.
"This is a really great night because South Carolina just showed the rest of the country what we're made of," Ms. Haley said, delivering a victory speech to supporters in Columbia, S.C.
Ms. Haley, 38, rose in the polls by promising to break an entrenched network that has dominated state politics for decades. She portrayed the unsubstantiated charges of sexual affairs as retaliation for taking on special interests.
In the general election, Ms. Haley faces the Democratic nominee, Vincent Sheheen, who won his primary on June 8. Republican candidates in South Carolina hold a considerable advantage in the general election, and even Democratic leaders in the state concede that something unforeseen would have to unfold for Ms. Haley not to win in November.
The two are competing to succeed Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, who confessed to having an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman last year and is barred by term limits from seeking re-election.
Last month, Ms. Haley took a dramatic leap in the polls after endorsements and campaign visits from Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, and Jenny Sanford, the popular former first lady. She had trailed far behind her three Republican rivals in fund-raising and visibility, but she was strongly embraced by Republican leaders in Washington and touted as one of the party's next leaders.
"Nikki Haley's historic victory in South Carolina is a testament to her hard work, perseverance and determination," said Nick Ayers, executive director of the Republican Governors Association. "Her success ushers in a new era of South Carolina politics and represents a growing new generation of Republican leaders from across the country."
The new era also expanded to primary contests for Congress.
Mr. Scott, the owner of an insurance business in Charleston who became the first black Republican in the South Carolina Legislature two years ago, defeated Mr. Thurmond by 30 percentage points on Tuesday. Mr. Thurmond, who carried one of the most famous names in South Carolina politics, but it was Mr. Scott who earned the endorsement from many Republican leaders outside the state.
Mr. Inglis, who became the latest incumbent to lose his primary election, was easily defeated by Trey Gowdy, a prosecutor. Mr. Gowdy had criticized Mr. Inglis, among other things, for his vote to support a bailout of the banking industry in 2008. With all of the precincts counted, Mr. Gowdy won by 40 percentage points.
For all the unexpected turns of this midterm election cycle, few campaigns have produced as much drama as the Republican governor's race in South Carolina. With nearly all precincts reporting, Ms. Haley led Representative Gresham Barrett, a four-term congressman, 65 percent to 35 percent.
Ms. Haley, a first-generation American of Indian descent, would also become the first member of a racial minority to be governor of South Carolina. She overcame allegations about infidelity in her marriage, ethnic slurs and questions about her religious background.
"This is a really great night because South Carolina just showed the rest of the country what we're made of," Ms. Haley said, delivering a victory speech to supporters in Columbia, S.C.
Ms. Haley, 38, rose in the polls by promising to break an entrenched network that has dominated state politics for decades. She portrayed the unsubstantiated charges of sexual affairs as retaliation for taking on special interests.
In the general election, Ms. Haley faces the Democratic nominee, Vincent Sheheen, who won his primary on June 8. Republican candidates in South Carolina hold a considerable advantage in the general election, and even Democratic leaders in the state concede that something unforeseen would have to unfold for Ms. Haley not to win in November.
The two are competing to succeed Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, who confessed to having an extramarital affair with an Argentine woman last year and is barred by term limits from seeking re-election.
Last month, Ms. Haley took a dramatic leap in the polls after endorsements and campaign visits from Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor, and Jenny Sanford, the popular former first lady. She had trailed far behind her three Republican rivals in fund-raising and visibility, but she was strongly embraced by Republican leaders in Washington and touted as one of the party's next leaders.
"Nikki Haley's historic victory in South Carolina is a testament to her hard work, perseverance and determination," said Nick Ayers, executive director of the Republican Governors Association. "Her success ushers in a new era of South Carolina politics and represents a growing new generation of Republican leaders from across the country."
The new era also expanded to primary contests for Congress.
Mr. Scott, the owner of an insurance business in Charleston who became the first black Republican in the South Carolina Legislature two years ago, defeated Mr. Thurmond by 30 percentage points on Tuesday. Mr. Thurmond, who carried one of the most famous names in South Carolina politics, but it was Mr. Scott who earned the endorsement from many Republican leaders outside the state.
Mr. Inglis, who became the latest incumbent to lose his primary election, was easily defeated by Trey Gowdy, a prosecutor. Mr. Gowdy had criticized Mr. Inglis, among other things, for his vote to support a bailout of the banking industry in 2008. With all of the precincts counted, Mr. Gowdy won by 40 percentage points.
Story first published:
June 23, 2010 09:18 IST
