SC Supreme Court hears presidential primary case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s Supreme Court justices have heard arguments from counties challenging the state’s authority to put on the first-in-the-South Republican presidential primary.

Four counties argued in part Monday that the primary is a private affair. The counties said their taxpayers would be forced to pick up about $1 million of a tab they estimate at more than $2 million for the Jan. 21 contest.

The justices questioned the accuracy of the cost estimates. They also said the state has an interest in the primary. They noted federal law has made the state’s primaries more open after years of discrimination.

Lawyers for the state and the Republican Party said this year’s budget law gives the state authority to run the primary.