STATE – With most of the state’s votes tallied as of this morning, it’s clear that South Carolina followed the national trend of the 2010 election — with big wins for Republicans.



Following a close early race, Republican Rep. Nikki Haley pulled ahead of Democrat Sen. Vincent Sheheen to win the state's governorship.

Haley will be the state's first female governor.

Haley captured 51 percent of the vote with a total of 673, 203. Sheheen won 47 percent of the vote.

The governor-elect also won Pickens County, bringing home 64 percent of the Pickens County vote to Sheheen's 33 percent.

State Rep. Jeff Duncan will be replacing U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett in the U.S. House.

Duncan defeated Jane Dyer, candidate for both the Democratic and Working Families parties, and Constitution Party candidate John Dalen.

Duncan won 62 percent of the statewide vote, with 125,513 votes. Dyer earned 32 percent of the vote and Dalen, 1 percent.

In Pickens County, Duncan won 69 percent of the vote, with 20,954 votes. Dyer won 24.5 percent of the county vote and Dalen 2 percent.

Barrett did not seek re-election to his seat, focusing instead on a race to become governor. He lost to Haley in the June primary.

Sen. Jim DeMint earned re-election to the U.S. Senate, defeating Democratic opponent Alvin Greene with 62 percent of the vote. Greene won 27 percent of the vote.

In Pickens County, DeMint won 77 percent of the vote; Greene, 12 percent.

Republican Eric Bikas will replace Rep. Rex Rice in the SC State House. Bikas defeated Democratic opponent Judy Gilstrap with 66 percent of the vote. Gilstrap took 34 percent.

Bikas also won the Pickens County side of District 26, taking 75 percent of the county vote to Gilstrap’s 25 percent.

Republican Ken Ard defeated Democrat Ashley Cooper to become the state’s next Lieutenant Governor. Ard won 71 percent of the Pickens County to Cooper’s 29 percent.

Republican Hugh Weathers won another term as Commissioner of Agriculture, defeating Democrat Tom Elliot with percent of the vote. Weathers earned 79 percent of the county vote; Elliott, 21 percent.

Republican Mick Zais edged Democrat Frank Holleman to become the state's next Superintendent of Education. Zais took 51 percent of the state vote; Holleman, 42 percent.

Zais took 63 percent of the Pickens County vote; Holleman took 30 percent.

Incumbent Superintendent Dr. Jim Rex did not seek re-election, focusing on a bid to become the Democratic nominee for governor.

Secretary of State-elect Mark Hammond won 62 percent of the state vote, defeating Democrat Marjorie L. Johnson. Hammond took 78 percent of the Pickens County vote; Johnson took 21 percent.

Republican Richard Eckstrom defeated Democrat Robert Barber to remain the state’s Comptroller General. Eckstrom brought in 57 percent of the vote. Barber earned 42 percent of the vote.

Eckstrom earned 73 percent of the county vote; Barber 26 percent.

Republican Alan Wilson defeated Democrat Matthew Richardson to replace Henry McMaster as the state’s attorney general. Wilson took 55 percent of the vote to Richardson’s 43 percent.

Wilson won 70 percent of the county vote; Richard 27 percent.

Republican Curtis Loftis will be the state’s next treasurer, having faced no opposition for the office in the election.

Republican Bob Livingston is the state’s next Adjutant General. He ran opposed in the Nov. election.