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James Hankinson and P.K. Hightower were the winners Tuesday in the primaries for the special election to fill the vacant District 8 seat on Aiken County Council, according to unofficial results.
In the Republican primary, Hankinson defeated Michael Rozovich.
Hankinson received 159 votes, which represented 81.54% of the 195 total cast.
Rozovich received 36 votes or 18.46% of the total cast.
Hankinson is an Aiken County Public School District employee and co-founder of Hankinson Boxing Gym with his wife, Brittany.
Rozovich is a retired law enforcement officer who also works for the Aiken County Public School District.
In the Democratic primary, Hightower beat Brian Parks.
Hightower received 233 votes, which represented 58.54% of the 398 total cast.
Parks received 165 votes or 41.46% of the total cast.
Hightower has worked at the Savannah River Site for more than 30 years and has been involved in the United Way of Aiken County for more than 20 years. She also has served on the Aiken County Planning Commission.
Parks is a customer project designer for Dominion Energy.
Hankinson and Hightower will square off in the Oct. 17 special election.
Both were at the Aiken County Government Center on Tuesday night, waiting outside the voter registration and elections office to get the primaries’ results.
“I’m really trying not to cry right now,” said an emotional Hankinson. “First of all I want to give honor to God who is the ruler over my life. I just thank God.
“I also would like to thank all the constituents in District 8 — everybody who came out and voted for me,” Hankinson continued. “I’m grateful to everyone who punched their ballots.”
In addition, Hankinson thanked Rozovich, Parks, and Hightower.
“We all stood up and we all took a bold move to step out and run to try to represent our district,” he said. “None of those candidates are my enemies. I love each and every last one of them.”
Hankinson concluded by thanking members of his family, his campaign manager, his campaign adviser, one of his friends and Hankinson Boxing Gym.
When asked for her reaction to her victory, Hightower mentioned her Democratic opponent first.
“I want to thank Brian Parks for running a good campaign,” Hightower said. “We talked with each other, and we both understood the importance of keeping this a Democratic seat. We both shared our views that we would help each other, and I also want to thank him for that.”
“I want to thank those who came out to vote, but I would like to see a lot more [participate] in the special election,” Hightower added. “We’re going to need that if we’re going to maintain this [Democratic] seat.”
Overall, 593 people voted in Tuesday’s primaries. The number represented 4.80% of District 8’s 12,359 registered voters.
The special election is being held because Willar H. Hightower Jr., a Democrat, resigned in May from County Council after representing District 8 for more than 30 years.
P.K. is Willar’s wife.
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