Joey Millwood unseated eight-term state Rep. Bob Walker by 19 votes Tuesday in what many considered a stunning upset in the state House District 38 GOP primary. Millwood, a 28-year-old journalist, garnered 1,539 votes to Walker's 1,520 in the unofficial count. His biggest victory came in the Bowen precinct, where he held a 235 to 176 edge.
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Walker, 65, the chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, said late Tuesday that he was unwilling to comment specifically on the outcome until the numbers were official.
However, "I've said all along, regardless of what happens in the end, this seat belongs to the people and I respect what the people say," he said. "I have enjoyed serving as a legislator, whether it comes out to my benefit or not. I have tried to serve the people with honesty and integrity. Never have I tried to get elected or re-elected by false and inaccurate statements, and I will live by my record.
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Millwood's campaign was predicated on conservative principles, and he said the results Tuesday showed the people responded.
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Millwood's top priority is to cut state spending, and he also supports tax credits to parents who choose to send their children to private schools.
Millwood scores 19-vote primary upset over Walker
Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC) - June 11, 2008
Millwood's own newspaper covered the news and seemed to be as surprised as everyone else.
Political newcomer Joey Millwood edged incumbent Bob Walker by 19 votes in the Republican primary for the House seat, capturing 50.31 percent of the vote. Millwood received 1,539 votes, while Walker received 1,520.
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Walker, 65, has served eight terms in the S.C. House after first getting elected in 1993. He most recently has served in a significant leadership position as chairman of the Education and Public Works Committee.
Millwood edges incumbent Walker in S.C. House race
Tryon Daily Bulletin, The (NC) - June 11, 2008
Because of the margin of victory, a recount would be automatic but the bigger question was whether or not Bob would contest the results.
The county board of elections will meet at 11 a.m. today to certify the results of Tuesday's voting. The board will then conduct a recount in the House District 38 race, where newcomer Joey Millwood stunned eight-term incumbent Bob Walker by 19 votes. The recount is mandated by law because Millwood did not win by a minimum of 1 percent of the vote.
Pending the outcome of the recount, either side would have until 1 p.m. Monday to file an appeal. Walker said he is undecided as to whether that's an avenue he'll explore. "We'll look at what is presented to us tomorrow and make our decision," he said.
Runoff candidates won't get a breather - June 24 vote: Republicans to decide 2 nominees for state Senate, 1 council seat
Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC) - June 12, 2008
Whether or not the governor initiated a "hit list" with out-of-state financing, he "declared victory."
The S.C. Club for Growth declared victory Tuesday night, and Sanford followed Wednesday.
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In total, candidates Sanford publicly supported went 2-for-4 against incumbents. Sanford said eight incumbent losses -- some he had nothing to do with -- were a sign voters wanted change.
As for the third-party groups, they won some and lost some.
Most notably is Rep. Bob Walker's loss in Spartanburg County to newcomer Joey Millwood.
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But South Carolinians for Responsible Growth and the S.C. Club for Growth failed to defeat a number of targeted Upstate lawmakers, including Sandifer, B.R. Skelton and Keith Kelly. Those groups also failed to capture a number of open seats.
In short, Sanford might pick up one or two new House members and three or four Senate votes. A handful of runoffs and general election races could change that slightly in either direction.
But S.C. Club for Growth executive director Matt Moore said the goal was to elect a veto-backing bloc, and Tuesday's election results might do little to shift the Legislature in that direction during Sanford's final two years.
Sanford wins some, loses others in election
State, The (Columbia, SC) - June 12, 2008
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