Sen. Larry Martin Loses Re-Election Bid

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee was defeated in Tuesday’s primary runoff by former state Rep. Rex Rice.

Pickens County voters first elected Martin to the state House in 1978, then the Senate in 1992. He has led the Judiciary Committee since 2012.

Martin came in first in the four-way primary two weeks ago with 45 percent of the vote, and Gov. Nikki Haley endorsed him last week.

Rice served three terms in the state House before his 2010 unsuccessful run for Congress. He got 33 percent in the voting two weeks ago.