Rep. Inglis faces runoff

Rep. Bob Inglis (R) managed to force a runoff in the race for South Carolina’s 4th House district nomination.

The embattled three-term incumbent finished second to Spartanburg and Cherokee County Solicitor Trey Gowdy (R), who failed to break 50 percent. With 253 of 265 precincts reporting, Gowdy had 40 percent of the vote. Inglis had 27 percent.

Gowdy is considered the favorite to topple Inglis, who has alienated his party’s base.

Inglis took several votes that were out-of-step with his district. He voted against the Iraq troop surge, and supported the widely unpopular financial bailout. His opponents branded him as not conservative enough for the densely Republican district.

Inglis also thumbed his nose at conservatives by telling them to “turn off” Fox News’ Glenn Beck.

The runoff vote is June 22.