Courson Leads in District 20 Race

Republican Sen. John Courson is leading his Democratic opponent Robert Rikard.

With 27 of 28 precincts reporting, Courson won with 60 percent (16,617) and Rikard had 38 percent (10,279).

Green Party candidate Scott West received 3 percent (899). 

Rikard, a lawyer at the Columbia firm Rikard & Protopapas, LLC, was the first Democrat to compete for the seat in 12 years. 

Courson has held the seat for 27 years and is the Senate president pro tempore.