In SC primary, ardent Trump backer defeats Rep. Mark Sanford
Trump tweeted Wednesday that his advisers didn't want him to get involved in the Republican primary, thinking Rep.
But Trump says Rep.
Arrington narrowly defeated Sanford after Trump tweeted that Sanford had been unhelpful, adding, "He is better off in
That was a reference to Sanford's surprise disappearance from the state as governor, which he later revealed was to further his affair with an Argentine woman.
Sanford's loss was perhaps the most dramatic result in primaries across five states Tuesday.
He becomes the second incumbent House Republican to lose a primary this year — the latest victim of intense divisions among the
Sanford's voting record is generally conservative, but his criticism of Trump as unworthy and culturally intolerant made him a target of dedicated Trump supporters who often elevate loyalty over policy.
Arrington blasted Sanford as a "Never Trumper," and Trump tweeted a startlingly personal attack hours before polls closed, calling Sanford "MIA and nothing but trouble ... he's better off in
Even for a political figure with no shortage of confidence in challenging party decision-making, the attack was a bold case of going after a sitting member of
Sanford said Tuesday night that "I stand by every one of those decisions to disagree with the president."
Sanford had never lost a political race in
In her victory speech, Arrington asked
Four other states voted Tuesday, including several races that will be key to determining which party controls the
In other races:
IN
Sanford was not the only establishment Republican to face a challenge Tuesday.
McMaster, an early supporter of the president's 2016 campaign, had Trump's full endorsement, marked by a weekend tweet.
But while Trump remains very popular in the state, McMaster has been shadowed by a corruption probe involving a longtime political consultant. McMaster received the most votes of the four
McMaster, the former lieutenant governor, assumed the governorship last year after
Trump is tweeting that people shouldn't underestimate his loyalist
Stewart, known for his ardent defense of Trump and of Confederate symbols, said he plans a "vicious" campaign against Kaine, who has a huge fundraising advantage going into the general election.
Kaine gives passionate campaign speeches, but Trump's tweet calls him a "total stiff."
As Trump's top campaign aide in
Stewart also has called efforts to remove Confederate monuments "an attempt to destroy traditional America."
A HOUSE BELLWETHER IN VIRGINIA
Democratic State Sen.
In Comstock's district, Wexton was the best-known in the field, and was viewed as the
Comstock, a moderate Republican who easily beat back a challenge from conservative
Though Wexton favors a ban on the sale of assault weapons, she defied what has been the tendency in some swing districts to nominate
TURNING THE LePAGE
The system insured that counting was slow and winners difficult to call. But businessman
The Associated Press did not call the Democratic primary as none of the seven candidates was close to the majority needed to be declared the outright winner, so more tabulations are required next week under ranked-choice voting. Last-place candidates will be eliminated and votes reallocated until there is a winner, a process that may take more than a week.
There was also the return of
Centrist
In
BROTHELS ON THE BALLOT
Pimp
Voters in November will also be voting on closing down brothels in at least one of the seven
This story has been corrected to reflect that Sanford completed his second term as
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