South Carolina: Republican Gov. Nikki Haley won this open seat with 2010 with 51 percent of the vote to 47 percent for state Sen. Vincent Sheheen. It was an unusually close race for deep red state. Haley started the GOP primary fight as the underdog, but placed first with 49 percent, falling just short of the 50 percent needed to avoid a run-off. She won the run-off contest with 63 percent. Haley’s first term has had its share of rocky patches from battles with the state legislature over budgets and questions about her appointments to allegations that she broke ethics rules (they were dismissed). Sheheen is back for a rematch, and has strong backing from national Democrats who see an opportunity here. Haley is getting support from national Republicans who have already aired television ads attacking Sheheen. The Governor has also been on the air with spots highlighting the state’s improving economy. There hasn’t been much polling in the race, but Haley appears to have a lead over Sheheen in the low to mid teens. This is a difficult race
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.