Tight races with many candidates forced runoffs in several primaries this week.

Incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster won Lexington County and led the state with the most votes counted but will face Upstate businessman John Warren in a June 26 runoff after failing to get a majority of votes.

Incumbent Attorney General Alan Wilson won the most votes in the Republican primary but not a majority and will face former Rep. Todd Atwater, both from Lexington, in a runoff June 26.

In the race for former Rep. Rick Quinn’s House seat, Lexington native Paula Calhoon and Lexington Town Councilman Todd Carnes will face each other in the June 26 GOP runoff.

County Council

In four Republican district races, the winners were:

• District 2 in Batesburg-Leesville, Gilbert and Summit - incumbent Larry Brigham overcame political newcomer Jeff Sarokas and former councilman Frank Townsend.

• District 7 in Irmo and Seven Oaks - Lloyd Higbe was leading 51% to 49% over former county treasurer Beth Carrigg with 10% of precincts still out at press time.

• District 8 in Lexington, Oak Grove and West Columbia - incumbent Ned Tolar was upset by Glen Conwell with 53% of the vote.

• In District 9, Todd Cullum won re-election.

Other races

In the Lexington County GOP primary voting for:

• Secretary of State, incumbent Mark Hammond had 71% of the votes.

In the county Democratic primary voting for:

Governor, Rep. James Smith won a majority.

• US Congress - Sean Carrigan and Annabelle Robertson will face a June 26 runoff for the Democratic nomination to face incumbent Joe Wilson of Spring-dale who had no primary challenger.

Ballot questions

Four ballot questions overwhelmingly passed.

In the Republican primary, voters favored:

• Bringing the state tax code into conformity with the new Trump tax cuts.

Experts said this would cost taxpayers money.

• Requiring voters to declare a political party preference when they register.

In the Democratic primary, questions were approved on legalizing medical marijuana and forcing the governor to accept federal money to expand Medicaid.