South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley easily outdistanced three competitors in the GOP primary today - but she will not meet the 50 percent threshold she needed to avoid a runoff. The Associated Press called the runoff with Haley holding about 49 percent of the vote and 84 percent of precincts reporting.
Rep. Gresham Barrett, one of the most conservative members of the House, will take second place and earn the other spot in the June 22nd runoff, according to the AP. He holds about 21 percent of the vote.
Attorney General Henry McMaster is on pace to take third place, and Lt. Gov Andre Bauer will finish in fourth.
It's been an eventful campaign for Haley, 38, who is hoping to succeed Republican Mark Sanford as South Carolina governor. After an endorsement from Sarah Palin helped skyrocket Haley to the front of the crowded GOP field, she was accused of an extramarital affair by a South Carolina blogger.
A second man then came forward alleging an affair. Haley vehemently denied both affairs, vowing to resign if proof of them emerges after she is elected.
Then last week a political rival, speaking on an Internet political talk show, called Haley (along with President Obama) "raghead," presumably in reference to her Indian background.
Haley, who pushed herself as a conservative, pro-family candidate, effectively weathered it all, going into Election Day with a 20-point lead, according to a weekend poll. She was hoping to shift her focus to the general election after today's contest but will now need to continue battling Barrett.
State Sen. Vincent Sheheen easily won the Democratic nomination and will face an uphill battle against the Republican nominee. It's been twelve years since South Carolina elected a Democratic governor.
On the Senate side, Tea Party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint easily won the Republican primary, while largely-unknown unemployed military veteran Alvin Greene was the surprise winner for the Democrats.
