Both parties are holding primaries Tuesday in South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District.
The seat, vacated by Office of Budget and Management Director Mick Mulvaney, is expected to be somewhat competitive but still considered favorably Republican. Donald Trump won here by double-digit margins last November. The district is largely rural, but has seen some growth in the suburbs outside neighboring Charlotte, North Carolina.
There are five serious contenders on the Republican side: State Rep. Ralph Norman; State House Speaker Pro Temp Tommy Pope; former state party chairman Chad Connelly; Sherri Few, who has run several times for office unsuccessfully; and attorney Tom Mullikin.
Democrats have largely united around Archie Parnell, a former Goldman Sachs adviser. He does have a few challengers, but it’s unlikely they’ll pose a serious challenge to him.
If no candidate wins 50 percent or more of his or her party’s primary vote, the races will go to a runoff. This seems more likely on the Republican side.
The general election is set to take place on June 20.
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