Sheri Biggs prevails in South Carolina GOP Primary Runoff Election
In a pivotal turn of events, Sheri Biggs, a nurse practitioner with roots in the military, won the GOP Primary Runoff election in South Carolina on Tuesday. The seasoned lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard now holds the Republican nomination, moving forward to replace outgoing Rep. Jeff Duncan in South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District.
Runoff Election Details
Triggered after neither of the two candidates collected a definitive majority in the state’s Republican primary election, the runoff election was an intense face-off between Mark Burns and Sheri Biggs. Burns, initially, had a moderate lead over Biggs, acquiring nearly 33% of the vote which accumulated to a little more than 27,000 votes in the primary election held on June 11. Biggs, however, trailed closely behind with approximately 28% of the vote, securing just over 23,500 votes.
A Pro-Life, Pro-Second Amendment Candidate
Sheri Biggs, self-motivated and driven, presented herself as a “pro-life, pro-Second Amendment lifelong Republican”. She highlighted her dedication to continue her lifetime of service and bring forth bold, conservative, servant leadership to address the health problems plaguing Washington.
Endorsement from Gov. Henry McMaster
Biggs’ campaign got a swift boost with the endorsement of South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster who spoke highly of her dedication and resolve. McMaster emphasized that Biggs embodies the spirit of South Carolina, with an unwavering belief in God, a solid commitment to service, and a resolve to fight for shared values.
Biggs and former President Trump
Notably, Biggs loudly declared her dedication to work with the former President, Donald Trump, despite his distinct endorsement of Burns. She has pledged to help heal the nation’s fiscal, mental, and spiritual health problems and to work with Trump to secure the border, protect tax dollars, defend conservative values, and keep the promises to veterans.
The Contenders
Opposing Biggs was Mark Burns, a pastor endorsed by former President Trump. Trump described Burns as an “America First Fighter”, further applauding his stand on border security and upholding the rule of law. Burns had also openly boasted about his association with Trump on his campaign website. Burns, who belonged to the South Carolina National Guard, established a church in Easley and has been recognized by Time Magazine as “Donald Trump’s favorite pastor“.
Replacing Rep. Jeff Duncan
While Burns and Biggs were at the forefront, the outgoing GOP Rep. Jeff Duncan’s decision to not run for the seat after seven terms stirred the political dynamics. Duncan’s wife filed for divorce last year, accusing him of multiple infidelity occurrences.
Democratic Candidate Bryon Best
On the other side of the competitive political landscape, Democratic candidate Bryon Best emerged victorious in the party’s nomination to represent the district. He triumphed over high school science teacher Frances Guldner by more than 2,050 votes in the state’s June 11 primary.
The District and Its Politics
The district that Biggs, Best, and others are fighting for is a predominantly rural area in the northwestern section of South Carolina. History suggests, it has been a tough fight for Democrats here since Lindsey Graham flipped the seat in 1994.