In Tuesday’s Democratic primary special election for a new Lee County Sheriff, Major Daniel Simon reportedly received the majority of the votes. Simon received almost 53 percent of the vote, which is enough to avoid a potential runoff against one of the four candidates who ran against him.

Simon has served as interim sheriff since the former sheriff, E.J. Melvin, resigned in May when he was charged in a drug conspiracy case. Simon received 2,664 votes. Jimmy Tidwell, next closest in the vote count, received 1,252 votes.

There are no Republicans running, and no Independents have yet signed up. There’s still time to challenge Simon in the general election, set for August 31.

State Treasurer Converse Chellis has asked Governor Mark Sanford to let the Budget and Control Board “take its show on the road” and hold the next two meetings at locations in Greenville and Charleston. Chellis wants the Board to consider other locations in the future.  He says more citizens should see firsthand how that part of state government operates.

Chellis also wants ETV to provide live streaming of the Budget and Control Board meetings over the internet.

AUDIO: Chellis on B and C Board (1:41)

Chellis wants the meetings held in public buildings with enough room to accommodate a crowd. They’re currently held in a small board room.

Chellis says the board’s primary function is to make sure that the law is followed, and he believes taking the meetings to the public increases government transparency.