Democrat state Sen. Gerald Malloy loses in recount solidifying SC Senate GOP supermajority
State Sen. Gerald Malloy narrowed the gap with his opponent Republican JD Chaplin in a recount of votes from the Nov. 5 general election Thursday but it was not enough to change the results. The 22-year incumbent’s defeat solidifies a four-seat GOP gain and beyond-supermajority strength in the South Carolina Senate, the first time since Reconstruction.
The loss of the Hartsville Democrat means there will be just 12 Democrats remaining in the 46-member chamber. Eight of those Democrats had no Republican opposition.
Chaplin lead by 278 votes ahead of the recount. After all counties rescanned ballots and reported the recount results, the Republican’s lead shrank to just 87 votes — with Malloy picking up 51 votes in the largely rural district and Chaplin losing 140 votes. Votes counted in Lee County accounted for the greatest difference in the numbers.
The state Election Commission is expected to meet later today to certify the recount results.
https://scdailygazette.com/2024/11/15/democrat-state-sen-gerald-malloy-loses-in-recount-solidifying-sc-senate-gop-supermajority/
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