Lexington, SC 06/15/2022 (Paul Kirby) - Lexington Town Councilmember Kathy Maness is headed to runoff in the Republican State Superintendent of Education’s race. Although Maness won the most votes and topped candidate Ellen Weaver, she did not reach the 50% threshold to win the race outright. Maness received 32% of the votes cast while Weaver received the second most votes which equaled 23%. The runoff will be held in 2 weeks.
Maness was endorsed by the current Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman who is retiring at the end of her current term. She is the executive director of South Carolina’s largest teachers’ advocacy group.
Maness may have made it over the top if the field had not been so crowded. In total, there were 6 Republicans who filed to run in the primary. While no other candidate received more than 14% of the votes cast, if this had been a 2-person race, things may have been decided Tuesday.
Weaver is currently the president and CEO of the Palmetto Promise Institute. According to their website, the Palmetto Promise Institute promotes policy solutions to advance a free and flourishing South Carolina, where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full, God-given potential.
Dr. Kizzie Gibson, a teacher in Lexington County School District One, made a respectable run in Lexington County. Statewide, she lacked the name recognition needed to win the post that would represent all of South Carolina schools.
The winner of the runoff will face the winner of the Democratic Primary on November 8, 2022.
