Massey edges out win in Senate Dist. 25 (SC - GOP pickup)

Index Journal ^ | 11/7/07

[LdSentinal]

It appears as though newcomer Republican Shane Massey has prevailed over longtime Democratic state Rep. Bill Clyburn in Tuesday’s Senate District 25 election.

Clyburn, a state representative from Aiken, has been in the House since 1995, creating a political battle between rookie and experienced veteran.

This time, the rookie came out on top.

According to results provided by county registration and election officials, Massey narrowly escaped the election with a win after a strong turnout in his home county of Edgefield and the county of McCormick.

Securing McCormick County was essentially what Massey needed to do, knowing Clyburn would likely take Aiken County, where the Democrat resides.

And though Clyburn won over Saluda voters, the small numbers at the polls in that county didn’t help out much in the totals. Only the southern portion of Saluda County is included in the district. Likewise, only the western part of Aiken is included.

Katon Dawson, South Carolina Republican party chairman, said the party looks forward to welcoming Massey.

“The good people of Aiken, Edgefield, McCormick and Saluda counties have spoken, and they have resoundingly showed their support for Senator-elect Shane Massey,” Dawson said. “Shane Massey is a reform-minded conservative with broad appeal whose message of change has resonated n and that’s why he won. We look forward to welcoming Senator-elect Massey to Columbia.”

The unofficial vote breakdown, provided by county registration and election officials, is as follows:

Saluda County

Massey: 416

Clyburn: 621

McCormick County

Massey: 1,235

Clyburn: 1,065

Aiken County

Massey: 2,866

Clyburn: 3,044

Edgefield County

Massey: 2,600

Clyburn: 2,177

Totals

Massey: 7,117

Clyburn: 6,907

[LdSentinal]

Closer than expected, but a Republican pickup. Republicans now hold a 27-19 advantage in the Soouth Carolina senate.

[Clintonfatigued]

Of all the election news this year, a significant amount of it was good.

[puroresu]

Actually, these off-year elections on balance weren’t that bad for our side. We lost the Kentucky governorship, but that was mostly due to some scandal issues. We lost control of the Virginia state senate, which was bad. But the primary reason for that loss was the GOP turning into RINOs, and one of the defeated RINOs lost to a Democrat who pledged to be tough on illegal immigration.

On the plus side, Haley Barbour was easily re-elected in Mississippi and Bobby Jindal easily took the Louisiana governorship from the ‘Rats. Republicans did well in lower tier races in both states as well. Plus, we won a big upset and took the mayor’s race in Indianapolis.

All things considered, not too bad considering the overall atmosphere this year.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Very good news.Congrats to South Carolina from all of us next door in Georgia.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I’m thinking this has to be a fairly rodent district. Clyburn must be a relative of the Majority Whip in Congress, so this was a nice victory, but the question is how long we’ll be able to hold this seat.

[upchuck]

South Carolina Ping

Add me to the list. / Remove me from the list.

[PROCON]

I’m sorry, I don’t believe you...I didn’t here it on the MSM/DBM.../sarc

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Surely some FUnion will find enough ballots in a warehouse sometime during the recount, no?

[padre35]

I would say Jindal’s Victory is more important then Fletcher’s loss, Fletcher’s scandals sunk him anyway, Republicans should have that lesson learned by now.

Could someone page Larry Craig about that factoid?

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

We lost control of the Virginia state senate, which was bad. But the primary reason for that loss was the GOP turning into RINOs, and one of the defeated RINOs lost to a Democrat who pledged to be tough on illegal immigration.

True. I wonder if Tom Davis is going to be looking over his shoulder from now on. Also, hasn't North Virginia generally been a swing area in local elections anyway? It has trended more Democrat, but I think Democrats, when they've won in Virginia, usually do well up there anyway, like Doug Wilder and Chuck Robb.

[Lancey Howard]

Bumping good news.

[Norman Bates]

Thanks. Good news is good, and this puts a happier face on yesterday’s underwhelming results. We did pick up a couple seats in the NJ house as well.

[mbraynard]

What a horrid turnout.

[SunkenCiv]

South Carolina.

[MinuteGal]

"Shane, Shane, come back. Come back, Shane......."

(....and he DID, heheh).

Leni

[Intolerant in NJ]

We did pick up a couple seats in the NJ house as well...and defeated a big bond proposal for stem cell research pushed by the Guv.......

[jmaroneps37]

A bit of extra good news, NICE!