Rice wins GOP nomination in SC 7th district

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Tom Rice has won the Republican nomination in South Carolina’s new 7th congressional district.

The Horry County Council Chairman leapfrogged primary first-place finisher and former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer in Tuesday’s runoff in the district that stretches from Florence to Myrtle Beach.

Rice is a retired lawyer and accountant who got into politics two years ago after his wife told him if he didn’t like what government was doing, he should run for office.

Rice called Bauer a political opportunist who only moved to the district when lawmakers created it last year. Bauer called Rice a “moderate” who will raise taxes.

It’s another bitter loss for Bauer, who was lieutenant governor for eight years before finishing last in the four-way Republican primary for governor in 2010.