The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun June 16, 2026 • Volume 29, Issue 12 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
BlufftonTown Council adopts budget for fiscal year 2027 3A
Primary results set stage for November election By Sasha Sweeney Editor
Beaufort County voters helped decide several closely watched races Tuesday as South Carolina’s primary elections produced local victories, an incumbent defeat and a high-profile gubernatorial runoff. The most closely watched contest in Beaufort County was the Republican primary for sheriff, where Doug Seifert defeated JoJo Woodward with 57.8% of the vote, according to unofficial results. The victory positions Seifert as the Republican nominee to replace Sheriff P.J. Tanner, who is retiring after 28 years in office. The race marked the county’s first open sheriff’s contest in nearly three decades. Seifert will face Democrat Alphonso Small Jr. in the November general election. County Council races also drew significant attention. In the Republican primary for District 4, Michael JD Andersen defeated Thomas Grygowski with 58.1% of the vote and advanced to the general election. In District 5, no candidate received a majority, sending the race to a runoff. Joshua Hower finished first with 40.5% of the vote, followed by Mary Jeans Otto with 33.4%. The two will face each other in a runoff
election later this month. Another notable local result came in House District 121, where Shannon DeLoach defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Michael Rivers Sr. DeLoach received 53.6% of the vote to Rivers’ 46.3%. Rivers had represented the district since 2017. DeLoach advances to the general election, where she is expected to face Republican Shelley Gay Yuhas. Statewide, South Carolina Republicans failed to produce a nominee for governor, sending the race to a runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Evette led the field with 29.1% of the vote, followed by Wilson with 26.4%. U.S. Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace finished behind the two runoff candidates. On the Democratic side, state Rep. Jermaine Johnson won his party’s gubernatorial nomination, avoiding a runoff and securing a place on the November ballot. Several other statewide races also remained unsettled Tuesday night. The Republican primary for attorney general advanced to a runoff after no candidate secured a majority. State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch led the field, followed by David Stumbo. Former prosecutor David Pascoe finished third. The Republican primary for agriculture commissioner also appeared headed to a
BETTER
together
Second Helpings is helping fight hunger across the Lowcountry, and PSB is a proud supporter of their mission. Visit www.secondhelpingslc.org to get involved.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
RESCUING FOOD
MEMBER FDIC
FEEDING FAMILIES
“Powered by partners like Palmetto State Bank, Second Helpings is rescuing food and feeding our community.” - Amy Colin; Executive Director
Independence Day Festivities
Doug Seifert
runoff, with Cody Simpson narrowly led Danny Ford, the son of former Clemson football coach Danny Ford. The June runoff election will determine nominees in several local and statewide contests that failed to produce majority winners. Those races will be followed by the November general election, when Beaufort County voters will select a new sheriff and decide several local and state offices. For complete election results, visit the South Carolina Election Commission at scVOTES.gov.
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A healthy lawn starts with the basics 21A
SOBA exhibition pairs paintings and jewelry
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