Sheri Biggs wins primary runoff to secure GOP nomination for the 3rd congressional district

Savannah Moss, Greenville News

The conservative battle for the Republican nomination to represent the 3rd congressional district ended Tuesday with Sheri Biggs outlasting Mark Burns.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Biggs won 28,130 votes to Burns' 27,043 votes.

"I stand here ready to fight for our communities and deliver results. I stand here ready to help win the border war, protect tax dollars, drain the swamp, and defend our conservative values," Biggs said in a statement. "I stand here ready to not only win this seat in November but also to help President Trump win back the White House in November."

Sheri Biggs shakes hands with Jessica Brown with Adam Brown at the Centerville Precinct in Anderson Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Sheri Biggs shakes hands with Jessica Brown with Adam Brown at the Centerville Precinct in Anderson Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Biggs will face Democrat Bryon Best in the November general election.

Burns was backed by former President Donald Trump while Biggs was endorsed by Gov. Henry McMaster. They emerged as frontrunners from a pack of seven candidates in the June 11 Republican primary.

In the two weeks before the primary runoff, Biggs released several ads about Burns, showing videos of Burns saying he voted for Democrats including former President Barack Obama. Burns posted on social media, calling himself the "only real conservative in this race."

Pastor Mark Burns talks to supporters conceding after results were announced for the U.S. House of Representatives District 3 seat, at his party in Easley, S.C. Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Pastor Mark Burns talks to supporters conceding after results were announced for the U.S. House of Representatives District 3 seat, at his party in Easley, S.C. Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

“But, you know what, this is a democracy, and the people have spoken, and I know we don’t agree with the results, but you know, they spoke and Sheri Biggs won and that’s the end of it,” Burns said in his concession speech to vocal supporters.

Voter turnout was low, which was expected. In the state, 87,170 voters cast a ballot, representing only a 5.8% turnout. Greenville represented a 10.5% turnout, with Spartanburg representing a 7.5% turnout and Anderson with a 12.1%.

The 3rd district seat opened when incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan announced he would not seek re-election. The district is a rural area stretching from Oconee County to Saluda County and encompasses more than 75,000 residents. The conservative district voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2020.

More: Greenville County primary runoff voters will decide whether incumbents keep council seats

Sheri Biggs, U.S. House of Representatives District 3 candidate shakes hands with Tekedra Blanding of Anderson after she voted for Biggs at Centerville precinct in Anderson, SC Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Sheri Biggs, U.S. House of Representatives District 3 candidate shakes hands with Tekedra Blanding of Anderson after she voted for Biggs at Centerville precinct in Anderson, SC Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

In the June 11 primary, Burns garnered 33% of the vote with 27,069 votes to Biggs’ 23,523 votes, representing 28% of the vote.

Candidates who did not earn the majority of the primary vote necessary to secure their party’s nomination had to compete in the primary runoff election. In South Carolina, a candidate must earn 50% plus one to be deemed the winner.

Savannah Moss covers politics for the Greenville News. Reach her at smoss@gannett.com or follow her on X @Savmoss.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Burns, Biggs face off for GOP nomination in 3rd congressional district

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