POWDERSVILLE — It was a long and convoluted road, but in the end it was Powdersville businessman Richard Cash who came out on top and claimed the South Carolina Senate District 3 seat.
The seat, which was unexpectedly opened after its former occupant, Sen. Kevin Bryant, was sworn in as S.C. lieutenant governor.
Originally, a large field was clamoring for the position that covers the Northern part of Anderson County.
Including Cash, eight Republicans — Dean Allen, Corey Bott, Don Bowen, Carol Burdette, James Galyean, Brad Johnson and John Tucker — all tried to convince voters they were best suited for the job.
Following the primary on April 11, a runoff was scheduled between the two candidates who had snagged the most votes: Cash and former Pendleton Mayor Burdette.
Burdette had previously run to represent district 3, but lost to Bryant by 370 votes in the 2016 primary.
2017 wasn’t to be her year either.
After coming in ahead of Cash in the primary, Burdette was the favorite going into the runoff but last minute endorsements from Reps. Joshua Putnam and Jonathon Hill proved to be just the push Cash needed to squeeze into the lead.
The Anderson Board of Elections reported a total of 8,975 votes were cast in the runoff, a 12 percent turnout.
Because no Democrats filed to run for the seat, following Cash’s win at the runoff, his name was the only that appeared on the final election ballot on May 30.
“Thank you to everyone who made this victory possible. It’s been a long journey and I’m proud of the campaign we have run and all of those who supported us,” said Cash. “Thank you to my family for the sacrifices they’ve made and for their love and support. Without them, this would not have been possible. Thank you to our campaign team, supporters, neighbors, and friends who tirelessly made phone calls, knocked on doors and reached out to the voters of District 3.
“I’ve run a campaign based on conservative principles, constitutional fidelity and a Christian worldview and I will stand by those principles in office,” he said. “I will always be accessible and accountable to you all and will look forward to serving and representing the people of Anderson in Columbia. God Bless.”
