Staton concedes education race to Floyd

Bob Staton dropped out of the GOP race for superintendent of education this afternoon, conceding any possible runoff to Karen Floyd of Spartanburg.

It is not clear whether a runoff would be on the ballot. Floyd garnered about 1,200 more votes Tuesday than the required 50 percent threshold, according to unofficial returns. The results will be certified by the State Election Commission on Saturday.

Staton, a Columbia businessman who has been active in public school accountability efforts, got 35 percent of the vote, or about 40,000 less than Floyd, on Tuesday.

Earlier today, Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, said he would not participate in a runoff with Thomas Ravenel of Charleston. Like the education race, Ravenel was at about 50 percent. Ryberg trailed at about 26 percent of the vote.