Controversial state Sen. Lee Bright was ousted during the South Carolina GOP run-off Tuesday by a local attorney who had the backing of Gov. Nikki Haley.
The winner, Scott Talley, a former state representative, was also favored by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, GreenvilleOnline reported.
Talley defeated Bright 52 percent to 48 percent.
Bright’s final term was mired in controversy after he proposed legislation mandating that transgender students use the bathroom that correspond to their biological sex. Haley and the chamber spoke out against Bright’s bathroom bill, arguing it would damage the state’s economy.
Bright also voted for the Confederate flag to remain on statehouse grounds following the racially charged massacre on a historically black church in Charleston, S.C.
Bright conceded after the election that voters likely backed Talley because of Haley’s endorsement.
The Chamber hailed Talley’s win Tuesday as a victory for new conservative leadership.
