Judge to rule by noon on Democratic runoff in 7th

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A judge promises to decide soon whether to order a runoff for the Democratic nomination in South Carolina’s new 7th Congressional District.

Judge Larry B. Hyman Jr. heard arguments Thursday about whether the South Carolina Election Commission followed state law when it declared Gloria Bromell Tinubu the outright winner and Democratic nominee after the June 12 primary. Hyman wants to decide by noon Friday.

The commission decided not to count more than 2,300 votes for a candidate who dropped out of the race two weeks before the voting. That pushed Tinubu over the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff next week.

Supporters of second-place finisher Preston Brittain sued, saying that was wrong.

Hyman said at Thursday’s hearing he needed to sleep on his decision before issuing his ruling.