While the returns from South Carolina are developing at a glacial pace, there is one unique result developing: there might not need to be a Democratic runoff, but there may need to be one on the Republican side.
Despite having twenty-plus point leads in polling, Nikki Haley currently leads right-wing Congressman Gresham Barrett by just thirteen points (42-29). Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, state senator Vincent Sheheen is lapping the field in early returns, winning with 56% of the vote. State Education Chief Jim Rex trails at 25%, with state Senator Robert Ford at 19%.
In other Palmetto State races: (1) AP has already declared Jim DeMint the winner on the GOP side, but an upset might be brewing on the Democratic side where presumptive frontrunner Victor Rawl is trailing Alvin Greene (59-41). (2) Returns are very early on the House level, but runoffs in the 1st and 3rd districts seem likely on the GOP side. Meanwhile, with only one precinct in, incumbent Republican Bob Inglis (SC-04) is getting blasted (66-17) by Trey Gowdy. Only a handful of votes have been tallied, though.
UPDATE (5:19 PM): Meanwhile, back in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the two other key races for November have also been called by AP. Scott Rigell has won the GOP nomination in VA-02, while Keith Fimian will get another crack at Democrat Gerry Connolly in VA-11.