SC Republicans gather for unity lunch in Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Republicans in Columbia say they want to show unity in their party after the primaries.

Roughly 100 activists, officeholders and candidates attended the Republican Party’s unity luncheon Wednesday.

Gov. Nikki Haley specifically thanked Mike Campbell and Sally Atwater in their runoff efforts. Atwater lost to Molly Spearman in her bid for state superintendent. Campbell lost to Henry McMaster in the race for lieutenant governor.

All four candidates in Tuesday’s GOP runoff attended the event. But many candidates who lost in the primary did not.

McMaster thanked his opponents for running a gentlemanly race.

Haley had no primary foe. She has a rematch in November against Sen. Vincent Sheheen.

U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott called in to address the crowd after a Skype attempt didn’t work.