SC’s longest-serving House member loses primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Darlington Rep. Robert Williams has won his primary bid for re-election by defeating the longest-serving member of the South Carolina House.

Williams defeated Darlington Rep. Denny Neilson in Tuesday’s primary race with 53 percent of the vote. He will face a Republican in November.

Neilson was seeking her 15th full term. She was first elected to the House in 1984. Williams is seeking his fourth term.

The once-a-decade redrawing of district lines forced the two lawmakers to run against each other. Their districts were collapsed because of shrinking populations shown by the 2010 Census.

Neilson’s district went to coastal Horry County.

The 47-year-old Williams had played up his youthful energy, saying Neilson should have retired. She touted her experience and position on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.