Colbert Busch Claims Edge in Race

Democratic congressional candidate Elizabeth Colbert Busch expressed confidence in the outcome of Tuesday's election while voting just before noon in Mount Pleasant today.

The former maritime executive and sister of famed comedian Stephen Colbert appears on the ballot against Ben Frazier, a perennial candidate who is not considered a serious contender for the office.

Two other Democrats dropped out of the race and endorsed Colbert Busch earlier in the contest.

On the Republican side, 16 candidates are vying for the GOP nomination. If no one gets more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff. That prospect could favor Colbert Busch who will have time to craft a positive message about herself while her challengers continue to duke it out.

"We'll have two weeks to really focus on this campaign for the Democratic Party," Colbert Busch said Tuesday after casting her ballot. "That's an advantage to have those two weeks to really get focused."

Colbert Busch has steered clear of discussing any of the Republican candidates she could face in the May special election, but on Tuesday she said the negative tone of that race is due mostly to passion.

"I think this race is so important and it's so pivotal; there's just a lot of passion," she said. "So many people care so much about this district."

The race has drawn national attention since voters could ultimately decide between Colbert Busch, with her substantial financial backing and famous sibling, and former Gov. Mark Sanford, who fell from political stardom after admitting to an extramarital affair.