3 seek nomination to McConnell’s Senate seat

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Republicans are going to the polls in the Charleston area to pick a candidate for the state Senate seat given up by Glenn McConnell.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

McConnell became lieutenant governor earlier this year when Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned from office and pleaded guilty to campaign finance law violations.

His unexpired term runs through November 11. The special election is July 17.

The candidates are Charleston businessman Wally Burbage, Charleston lawyer Walter Hundley and Citadel educator Sean Pike. Fair Tax advocate John Steinberger dropped out of the race, but too late to have his name removed from the ballot.

There also is a primary June 12 for the full four-year term that begins in January. That election is Nov. 6.