Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina leads in the GOP primary for his seat — but he'll likely face a runoff in June because it's not a big edge, a new poll reveals.
The survey of 800 registered voters, commissioned by the Save the Children Action Network and released to The State newspaper, reveals that of 397 likely GOP primary voters:
- 41 percent support McMaster as their top candidate.
- 10 percent support Mount Pleasant attorney Catherine Templeton.
- 5 percent support Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryan.
- 3 percent support former Lt. Gov. Yancey McGill.
- 2 percent support Greenville businessman John Warren.
However, some 35 percent of GOP voters, however, are "still are weighing their options," according to The State.
Of 296 likely Democratic primary voters, the poll reveals:
- 18 percent support state Rep. James Smith.
- 11 percent support of Florence attorney Marguerite Willis.
- 7 percent support Charleston businessman Phil Noble.
Some 57 percent of Democrats surveyed said they did not know who they would vote for in the primary.
McMaster, who was previously lieutenant governor, succeeded Gov. Nikki Haley, who resigned last year to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The poll also found that education is a top priority for South Carolina voters, both Republicans and Democrats.
It was conducted by TargetPoint Consulting, a GOP firm, and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, a Democratic firm.
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