2 Republicans face runoff for Cooper’s seat

ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) — Two Republicans will face each other in a runoff later this month for the chance to replace retired Piedmont Rep. Dan Cooper.

Unofficial returns showed that Joshua Putnam of Powdersville led a six-candidate field in Tuesday’s voting. Putnam got 924 votes.

Hamp Johnson of Piedmont finished second with 650 votes. South Carolina law requires a primary candidate to get more than 50 percent of the vote.

Four other candidates split the rest of the votes.

The winner of the July 26 runoff will face Constitution Party candidate Dave Ballard in an Aug. 30 election.

No Democrats entered the race.

Cooper retired earlier this year to spend more time with his family and his business. He had been in the House since 1991.