Judge Thomas Cooper concurred with the Greenville County Democratic Party, in a suit filed against the county GOP last month, that Barnes and two other primary candidates had not properly filed statements of economic interest.
Barnes was the surprise winner over Baldwin, a former Greer City Councilman for 15 years, by 56 percent of the vote, 1,103-883, in the June 12 primary. Barnes is owner of Mike Barnes Towing and Baldwin is an attorney.
Cooper ruled that Jane Kizer, state Senate District 7, and Ross Turner, Senate District 8, are valid.
According to news reports from Columbia, Barnes testified he and his accountant had a statement of economic interest as required and said they believed it was turned in at the county GOP headquarters. He testified he couldn’t remember with certainty to swear to it and Spartanburg County GOP officials testified they didn’t remember seeing the document filed or locating it afterwards.
District 18 encompasses Greer, parts of Blue Ridge and Taylors.