Democrat Graham wins S.C. Senate 35 seat to succeed McElveen

According to unofficial tallies, Democrat Jeffrey Graham has secured the position of state senator for District 35 after all precincts were reported Wednesday afternoon.

The district covers parts of Sumter, Lee, Kershaw and Richland counties. Graham, a Camden resident, earned 52.15% of the vote, or 25,199 votes, over Republican opponent Mike Jones, who got 47.69%, or 23,044 votes. There were 17 write-ins.

Sumter County supported Graham by 56.04%, or 9,951 votes, over voters who chose Jones at 43.81%, or 7,779 votes.

Lee County supported Jones by 56.8%, or 1,834 votes, over voters who chose Graham at 43.11%, or 1,392 votes.

Results are unofficial until certified later this week.

The candidates were vying to succeed Sen. Thomas McElveen, who announced earlier this year he would not run for reelection for a fourth term. When he first ran and won in 2012, he was the youngest South Carolina senator at the time.