Ralph Norman defeats Hundley to keep SC Congressional seat. How the Rock Hill area voted

Republican incumbent Ralph Norman of Rock Hill appeared to easily keep South Carolina’s 5th District seat in Congress, defeating Democratic challenger Evangeline Hundley Tuesday, according to the Associated Press and South Carolina Election Commission voting totals.

The Associated Press called the race for Norman at 8:55 p.m. Norman had 64% of votes to 36% for Hundley in the district with 99% of the vote counted, according to Associated Press results at 11:30 p.m.

South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District covers 10 counties, including all of York, Chester and Lancaster.

In a Facebook post on his campaign page after the election was called, Norman told supporters: “This was just as much your victory as it was mine.”

Election day polls closed at 7 p.m. Final results are not yet available.

Results at 11:30 p.m. showed:

▪ In York County, Norman received 62% of early votes with 99% of precincts reporting, while Hundley had 38%, state election totals showed.

▪ In Lancaster County, Norman had 65% while Hundley had 35% from all votes cast in 100% of precincts.

▪ Norman led in Chester County with 61% to Hundley’s 39%, from 100% of election day precincts reporting.

About the Norman vs. Hundley race

The race is a rematch from 2022, when Norman easily defeated Hundley by 30 points. Norman has been in office since 2017. The 71-year-old real estate developer — a critic of the Biden-Harris administration — campaigned on enhanced border security and improving the economy.

Norman was expected to retain the seat, according to Winthrop University political science professors Scott Huffmon and Adolphus Belk.

Early voting started in South Carolina in 2022 and continued in the 2024 election. About half of the registered voters in York, Lancaster and Chester voted early, and others voted absentee.

SC Senate races: District 17 remains tight

There are a few contested races for the S.C. Senate for districts in the area. Senators serve four-year terms.

Below are state senate results from 89% of precincts reporting at 11:30 p.m., according to the state election commission website.

▪ State Senate District 17, York, Chester, Lancaster. The race between Democratic incumbent Mike Fanning and Republican challenger Everett Stubbs was close to even.

Both Fanning and Stubbs had over 49%.

Fanning has been in office since 2017. Stubbs, a Chester lawyer, is making his first political run.

▪ State Senate District 16, York, Lancaster. The district covers parts of Tega Cay, and fast-growing Fort Mill and Indian Land. Incumbent Republican Michael Johnson had 79% over 21% for Workers Party candidate Kiral Mace. Johnson has been in office since 2020 and formerly was chairman of the York County Council. Mace is seeking his first elected office.

▪ State Senate District 27, Lancaster. With 100% of precincts reporting, Republican Allen Blackmon had 70% against Democrat Yokima Cureton, who had 30%.

SC House of Representatives

These are the contested S.C. House races for York, Chester, and Lancaster. House members’ terms are two years.

Results below are from 89% of precinct returns posted at 11:30 p.m. by the state election commission on its website.

▪ State House District 26, York. Republican David Martin had 63%, with Democrat Matt Vilardebo at 37%. The race covers much of fast growing Fort Mill.

▪ State House District 46, York. Incumbent Republican Heath Sessions had 61%, with Democratic challenger John Zabel at 39%.

▪ State House District 45, Lancaster. Incumbent Republican Brandon Newton had 64% against Democrat Nicole Ventour, who had 35%.

▪ State House District 44, Lancaster. Incumbent Republican Mike Neese had 61% in early returns, with Democrat Katie Crosby at 39%.

▪ State House District 53, Lancaster. Incumbent Republican Richie Yow showed 74% against Democrat Bruce Wallace in early returns. Wallace had 26%.

Several races in York, Chester, and Lancaster counties have only one unopposed candidate on the ballot. Those include several legislative races, and York County sheriff, solicitor, clerk of court and coroner.

This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 9:57 PM.

Andrew Dys

The Herald

803-329-4065

Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald, where he has been a reporter and columnist since 2000. He has won 51 South Carolina Press Association awards for his coverage of crime, race, justice, and people. He is author of the book “Slice of Dys” and his work is in the U.S. Library of Congress.