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What began as a crowded field of candidates for the state’s newest Congressional post has been narrowed to two: Tom Rice and Gloria Bromwell Tinubu will go head to head for the new job in November, after a special run-off election Tuesday.

Less than 9 percent of Chesterfield County’s 23,920 registered voters took advantage of the opportunity to decide between run-off candidates in both the Republican and Democratic primary races for South Carolina’s newly formed District 7 U.S. Congressional seat. Those who did chose to vote in Chesterfield County seemed to agree with other counties in District 7 in their choices for the position.

Republican Tom Rice received 518 votes in Chesterfield County, giving him more than 62 percent of the votes cast locally. His opponent Andre Bauer received 307 votes in Chesterfield County; just 37 percent of the vote. Statewide, Rice received more than 56 percent of the vote and Bauer received less than 45 percent.

Democratic candidate Gloria Bromwell Tinubu received almost 52 percent of the votes cast in Chesterfield County, with 650 votes. But her numbers, district wide, were much more impressive. Tinubu won the Democratic domination with 72 percent of the vote.

Tinubu’s opponent Preston Brittain received approximately 48 percent of the vote within Chesterfield County with 601 votes. Across the district, Brittain received just 27 percent of the vote.

Although Tinubu had been announced the winner of the Democratic Primary held June 12, an Horry County judge decided late last week that a run-off election was necessary.

Rice and Tinubu are now slated as the Republican and Democratic candidates for the general election to be held Tuesday, Nov. 6.

South Carolina’s additional representation of a 7th U.S. Congressional district is the result of population growth within the state as reflected in the 2010 U.S. Census. The counties grouped together for this district include Chesterfield, Marlboro, Dillon, Horry, Georgetown, Darlington and most of Florence.

— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, or by email at kkissiah@heartlandpublications.com.