Voters go to the polls in Beaufort and Jasper counties. How did they vote? (2024)

BEAUFORT— With votes from the June 11 primary in and counted, the November races are now more sharply in focus.

Republican incumbent Nancy Mace will face Democratic challenger Michael B. Moore for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District in the general election.

Mace easily withstood a primary challenge from opponents Catherine Templeton and Bill Young, capturing a touch more than 57 percent of the nearly 50,000 votes cast. Templeton garnered 30 percent of those votes while the balance went to political newcomer Young.

While Templeton, a former two-time state agency head, was still a distant second behind Mace in Beaufort County, she did pick up slightly more support in the county earning about 38 percent of the vote.

The congresswoman marked her June 11 victory in an event at her campaign headquarters on Daniel Island where Mace denied access to a reporter and photographer from The Post and Courier without explanation.

The Democratic primary for the House seat was a much closer race. Michael B. Moore prevailed over Democratic opponent Mac Deford.

Moore secured his victory over Deford by a margin of less than 700 votes. He picked up about 52 percent of the 21,000 votes cast and carried Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties.

However, Deford won both Beaufort and Jasper counties by commanding margins with 60 percent and 76 percent of the vote, respectively. More votes were cast in Beaufort County in the Moore-Deford contest than in any other county in the district.

Moore is a first-time candidate and business man who was previously CEO of Charleston’s International African American Museum. He launched his campaign in Beaufort in March at the Baptist Tabernacle Church in front of a bust of Robert Smalls, Moore's great-great-grandfather.

In a press release issued after the race was called, Moore said he is intent on fostering an inclusive economy.

"I'm committed to safeguarding women's reproductive rights, bringing down health care costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, strengthening our southern border, and fortifying our coastal communities from the effects of climate change," he added.

A poll worker in Blufftonsaid that voter turnout was light. About 14 percent of registered voters in Beaufort County participated in the primary. Statewide, the number was slightly less.

Marie Smalls, Beaufort County's Board of Voter Registration and Elections director, said that a few technical problems were encountered early Tuesday morning, but they were quickly resolved and there were no delays in voting. No lines were reported in any polling location.

"It is a low turn out election," Smalls said.

In other race impacting the region, Duke Buckner defeated Justin Scott for a chance to face Democratic incumbent Jim Clyburn for the state's 6th Congressional District.

Audrey Hopkins bested Johnny Lee Jackson Jr., and will take on Republican incumbent Bill Hager for the State House of Representative, District 122.

Republican Christopher Malphrus will face Democratic incumbent Donald Hipp for Jasper County sheriff after defeating Christopher Warren, and John Kemp defeated David Cope in a race for a Jasper County Council at-large seat.