Lexington County voters have spoken. After a state‑mandated recount completed on November 11, 2026, Democrat Joe Madge was certified the winner of South Carolina House District 89, edging out Republican Majority Leader Micah Caskey by 106 votes, 7,263 to 7,157.
Recount Confirms Tight Race
The recount, ordered by state law, verified the original vote totals reported on election night. Madge’s lead held steady throughout the counting process, and the final tally widened the margin only slightly. Caskey, a five‑term incumbent and the newly selected GOP floor leader, conceded the result on X, posting, “The people have made their choice, and I respect it fully. I called Joe Madge this morning to congratulate him, and I wish him every success.”
Implications for House Leadership
Caskey’s defeat creates an immediate vacancy in the Republican leadership team. House Republicans must select a new majority leader by December, a decision that will shape the GOP’s strategy as it moves forward without a supermajority. An analyst identified as Pope told WACH the caucus will likely promote a “next‑man‑up” to fill the role, though the full name and title were not provided in the source.
District Profile and Election Context
District 89 has historically leaned Republican, with a 13.5‑point GOP advantage. Nonetheless, the 2026 cycle saw Democrats flip ten state House seats, eroding the GOP’s supermajority. Madge, a 59‑year‑old manufacturing engineer with more than three decades of industry experience, ran as a first‑time candidate and previously chaired the Lexington County Democratic Party from 2018 to 2022. Caskey, 45, a West Columbia native, has represented the district since winning the seat in 2016 and was chosen this fall to succeed Davey Hiott as majority leader for the upcoming session.
Local Reactions
Local leaders and constituents expressed mixed reactions. Some Lexington County residents voiced concern over losing a seasoned legislative leader, while others praised Madge’s community‑focused background and his promise to prioritize local manufacturing jobs. The shift also raises questions about how the loss of the supermajority will affect future legislative priorities, including budget negotiations and policy initiatives that impact families and faith‑based communities.
What Comes Next
House Republicans will convene to elect a new floor leader, a process expected to conclude by the end of December. Meanwhile, Madge will prepare to take his seat and begin representing District 89’s interests in the state Capitol. The outcome underscores the importance of every vote in tightly contested districts and highlights the evolving political landscape in South Carolina’s traditionally red regions.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
