City Councilwoman Kathy Pender says King's commitment to education is needed in the Legislature. Pender served on the Rock Hill school board for 13 years.

"We need someone in Columbia who understands what it means to be a local elected official and have to deal with mandates from state government that don't make sense," said Pender. "John R. King is that someone."

King, owner and operator of King Funeral Home in downtown Rock Hill, formerly served on the city and county councils in Chester. He faces Montrio Belton in the June 10 primary for District 49, which covers southern York County and part of York. The winner will face Republican Marvin Rogers in the general election.

Belton counters with his own high-profile endorser: retired educator Sam Foster, who once held the District 49 seat and is widely revered in Rock Hill political circles.

Foster says Belton's career in education has prepared him well. Belton serves as principal of Monroe Middle School in Monroe, N.C.

The retiring Bessie Moody-Lawrence, who currently holds the District 49 seat, has signaled that she doesn't plan to endorse.