Skelton To Challenge Primary Race Results

The race to represent District 3 in the South Carolina Statehouse will have at least one more chapter. Incumbent B.R. Skelton has filed an appeal with the South Carolina GOP protesting the June 12 primary win of Ed Harris. Harris defeated Skelton, who has served District 3 since 2003, by a margin of 52-48 percent or 172 votes.

Skelton’s appeal is based on a belief that Harris’ Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) was filed inaccurately, thereby making him an ineligible candidate. It’s the same issue that caused hundreds of candidates across the state to be thrown off ballots.

The hearing will be in Columbia on Thursday at 6 p.m. before the 46-member SC GOP Executive Committee. State GOP Chair Chad Connelly will act as a judge for the hearing. The decision on the appeal will come from the Executive Committee.

In order for a candidate to be granted a hearing, he must file an appeal on the nearest Monday after Election Day, which Skelton did, according to sources. 

Skelton will be represented at the hearing by one of his colleagues, Democrat James Smith of Richland Co., who is a practicing attorney. Smith had previously chaired the House Ethics Committee.

Whoever emerges victorious between Skelton and Harris is all but certain to represent the district in Columbia, as there is no Democrat running in November.