Ott, Harpootlian respond after Ott’s District 26 upset

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Senator Dick Harpootlian, who served District 26 for the past six years, has conceded the race to his opponent — Representative Russell Ott.

Unofficial numbers from the SC Election Commission reveal that Representative Ott received just over 51% of the vote, leaving Senator Harpootlian with around 49% of the vote.

Harpootlian addressed the media Wednesday morning in front of his law office on Laurel Street in downtown Columbia.

“I spoke with Russell Ott this morning, we had a great conversation. I indicated to him I was conceding the race, and I look forward to supporting him in November,” says Harpootlian.

In a statement, Rep. Ott says, in part, “I appreciate Dick Harpootlian calling me this morning to concede the race…. This race was never about any individual. It was about the people of District 26. Now we’re going to get back to work to win in November.”

Harpootlian attributes Ott’s win to low voter turnout statewide, combined with a “huge” turnout in Ott’s home of Calhoun County, saying, “The last senator from Calhoun County was Marion Gressette who served until 1984. I think the folks from Calhoun County want a senator. They certainly expressed that with their votes yesterday.”

Harpootlian says Ott will have to prove himself to the voters of Richland and Lexington counties, where Harpootlian had higher numbers.

“His position has changed on choice. He said he voted against the Heartbeat Bill. If it truly has changed, he needs to come into these neighborhoods where he lost dramatically yesterday and explain with sincerity on that position. He also indicated he voted against the conference committee on guns, he needs to explain why. He’s got to come in and sell his position as a Democrat to Democrats,” he says.

Representative Ott also saying, “I especially want to thank my friends and neighbors in Calhoun and lower Lexington for their strong support. Those are the folks who know me best — and I’ll work hard to earn that same level of trust with everyone in Richland and Lexington counties.”

Harpootlian also responding to anyone who finds fault with the election system, saying, “We went through a process yesterday. I lost. Ok? The process worked. I’m not accusing anyone of stealing anything, I’m not having a temper tantrum. I’m not expressing some doubt in our system.”

And on whether or not he thought his defense of Alex Murdaugh had an affect on voters, Harpootlian says, “Let me say this to you. I am a lawyer. I’ve been a prosecutor, I’ve been a defense lawyer, and if that played a factor in anybody’s decisions yesterday, so be it. I mean, that’s who I am. I haven’t changed in 50 years and I’m not going to start changing now.”

Harpootlian says he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and family, and will continue to support the community and speak out on important matters.

According to the SC Election Commission, Ott received nearly 84% of the vote in Calhoun County.