Horry County Council Chairman Tom Rice beat former Lt. Gov. André Bauer in GOP primary runoff in South Carolina’s new 7th district. In November, he’ll face economist and former Georgia state Rep. Gloria Bromell Tinubu, who won the Democratic primary runoff against attorney Preston Brittain.

Shortly after 9 p.m., the Associated Press called the race for Rice. With 94 percent of precincts reporting, he had 56 percent to Bauer’s 44 percent.

Around the same time, the AP called the race for Bromell Tinubu. With 94 percent of precincts reporting, she had 73 percent to Brittain’s 27 percent.

Democrats and Republicans in the state do not believe Bromell Tinubu can win the race in the Myrtle Beach-anchored district. Roll Call rates the 7th district race as Safe Repubican.

Since the 7th is a new district granted to the Palmetto State in reapportionment, if Rice wins, as expected, this will be a pickup for Republicans.