elections 2022

Democrat Joe Cunningham lost his bid for governor but told supporters this is not the nail in his coffin, "far from that, folks"

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Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has won reelection in South Carolina, beating Democrat Annie Andrews to keep her 1st Congressional district seat under GOP control. The district representing Charleston and neighboring rural counties had seesawed in recent years between Democrats and Republicans. Mace previously won a contested Republican primary that became a referendum of sorts on former President Donald Trump's influence after he endorsed her primary opponent. Also Tuesday, Republican Russel Fry won South Carolina's 7th House seat over Democrat Daryl Scott. With Trump's backing, Fry had ousted veteran GOP Congressman Tom Rice in a June primary.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott has won reelection to what he said will be his last term serving South Carolina. But the only Black Republican in the Senate may have bigger political ambitions yet. Scott beat Democratic state Rep. Krystle Matthews for a second full term Tuesday. He was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2013 by then Gov. Nikki Haley when Jim DeMint resigned and also won a special election. Scott won't say anything about his long-term plans, though others are urging him to run for president later. Scott said his victory shows the American dream is still alive and that a Black man can rise from poverty to top levels in politics.

Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has won a historic reelection bid. The 75-year-old incumbent defeated Democrat Joe Cunningham on Tuesday. If he completes his second term, McMaster would serve as governor a total of 10 years, longer than any other executive in South Carolina history. McMaster touted the state's booming economy and willingness to fight Democratic President Joe Biden when needed. He also said he would likely sign any further restrictions from the state's General Assembly beyond a six-week abortion ban currently under a court review. A Democrat hasn't won South Carolina's governor's race since 1998. Republicans also swept all other statewide races.

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Republican Rep. Nancy Mace is seeking to retain her Charleston-area congressional seat in Tuesday's election. That South Carolina district has seesawed in recent years between Democrats and the GOP. The freshman congresswoman Mace faces Democratic challenger Annie Andrews, a pediatrician. Democrat Joe Cunningham — who is now running for governor — won the seat in 2018 before losing to Mace the following election. In the state's 7th Congressional District, state GOP representative Russel Fry faces Democratic challenger Daryl Scott in Tuesday's vote.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott is running for what he says is a final six-year term from South Carolina. But the only Black Republican in the Senate may have bigger future political ambitions. Scott is facing Democratic state Rep. Krystle Matthews as he seeks a second full term. Scott was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2013 by then Gov. Nikki Haley when Jim DeMint resigned. Scott has tens of millions of dollars. Matthews has struggle to raise a few hundred thousand dollars. Scott won't say anything about his long-term plans, though others are urging him to run for president later.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is facing voters one last time, seeking to become the longest-serving governor his state has ever had. The Republican McMaster faces Democrat Joe Cunningham in Tuesday's election. The state hasn't elected a Democratic governor since 1998. The 75-year-old McMaster is running for a second full term, which would give him 10 years in office since he finished the final two years of Nikki Haley's term. Cunningham is 40 years old and has taken up the age issue head-on. He has proposed a constitutional amendment to require South Carolina officeholders to leave their jobs at age 72.

November 8, 2022 — A preview of the 2022 midterm elections; the latest on inflation rates and unemployment numbers; insight into this year's flu season; and more.