McEachern
BLYTHEWOOD – It was a tight House District 77 race Tuesday night for incumbent Joe McEachern, who, with 2019 votes (36.51%), squeaked past newcomer Kambrell Garvin with 2012 votes (36.38%) for a 7-vote majority. But with that slim majority and neither candidate garnering the 50 percent plus 1 votes for a win, the two candidates are now headed for a runoff set for June 26.
Deyaska Spencer finished behind Garvin with 1,302 votes (23.54%), and John McCleric took 197 votes (3.56%).
Garvin
Garvin easily took Blythewood precincts 2, 3 and LongCreek where he shook hands all morning on Tuesday. Deyaska Spencer, an attorney and resident of LongCreek Plantation and also a political newcomer, took the Sandlapper precinct, and McEachern handily took the rest of the precincts in his District including Blythewood 1 and Roundtop where his numbers were strong.
“We’re ready,” McEachern said of the upcoming runoff. “I’m looking forward to visiting with the folks out there in Blythewood and Fairlawn. I appreciate all those who supported and voted for me. And I hope those who missed voting in the primary know they can still come out and vote in the runoff. Working together, I’m confident we’ll get there.” Garvin could not be reached for comment.