Two candidates with experience in elected office are competing to represent northern York County in the S.C. House.
Republican Ralph Norman and Democrat Kathy Cantrell will face off in a special election for District 48. The winner will fill one year left on the term of Rep. Carl Gullick, who resigned over the summer to move to Kentucky.
It's the state's most populated district. And election watchers don't expect it to stay in its current configuration much longer.
Thanks to spillover growth from Charlotte, the district has grown to more than 30,000 residents in north Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Lake Wylie. The mostly affluent constituency has elected a string of Republicans, with Becky Richardson holding the seat prior to Norman and Gullick.
A reapportionment in 2010 could split up the district, possibly giving more constituents to Rep. Deborah Long's District 45.
It's going to have to shrink geographically, said state Rep. Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill. It's like putting a Rubik's cube together; everything has to match.
THREE KEY QUESTIONS
1. How would you help cash-strapped school districts?
Each favors repealing Act 388, the 2006 law that slashed residential property taxes as the money source for public school operations. The substitute was a 1-cent sales tax.
It needs to be repealed, Norman said. It's going to take some work. I don't think it's going to happen in 2010.
Cantrell doesn't expect a quick resolution. We were all happy to see our property taxes reduced until we went into this recession. You can't count on sales tax.
2. Would you raise the cigarette tax?
Cantrell supports an increase in the state sales tax on cigarettes, with revenues going to pay for medical care.
It's kind of a moral issue as well, she said. I do think raising the tax would discourage some people from starting to smoke.
Norman said he would oppose such a move, especially during a recession.
It would be hard for me to support any kind of tax increase right now, he said.
3. Do you favor extending Dave Lyle Boulevard into Lancaster County?
Norman has long supported stretching Dave Lyle across the Catawba River into Indian Land. He has a unique vantage point his company developed land along the road.
Cantrell doesn't believe the road should be a priority. People in Indian Land have their own shopping and dining options, she said.
I'm not so sure they're going to be terribly interested in coming to Rock Hill, she said. They're going to be satisfied to stay in that area.
Meet the candidates
Ralph Norman
Age: 56
Education: Rock Hill High School graduate; 1975 Presbyterian College graduate with degree in business
Job: Real estate developer
Political experience: Served from 2004 to 2006 in District 48 seat
Family: Wife, Elaine; four adult children
Kathy Cantrell
Age: 63
Education: Attended public school in northeastern Ohio; degree in liberal arts from Ohio Dominican University
Job: Retired director of Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce
Political experience: Three years on the Clover school board
Family: Husband, James; five adult children
Who's voting?
Registered voters in these precincts can cast ballots in Tuesday's special election for the S.C. House District 48 seat. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To check your voter registration, visit scvotes.org or call the elections office at 803-684-1242.
Airport: S.C. National Guard Armory, 126 Museum Road, Rock Hill
Allison Creek: Allison Creek Presbyterian Church, 5780 Allison Creek Road, York
Anderson Road: Rock Hill School District Office, 660 N. Anderson Road, Rock Hill
Bethel No. 2: River Hills Community Church, 104 Hamiltons Ferry Road, Lake Wylie
Fort Mill No. 3: Sisk Memorial Baptist Church, 115 Spratt St., Fort Mill
Fort Mill No. 4: Fort Mill School District Office, 120 E. Elliott St., Fort Mill
Fort Mill No. 5: Flint Hill Fire Department, 1950 U.S. 21 Bypass, Fort Mill
Fort Mill No. 6: Church Of Christ at Gold Hill Road, 1055 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill
Gold Hill: Grace Presbyterian Church, 2955 S.C. 160 West, Fort Mill
India Hook: Westminster Catawba School, 2650 India Hook Road, Rock Hill
Lakeshore: Lake Wylie Christian Assembly, 5766 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie
Lakewood: Lakewood Baptist Church, 3520 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill
Laurel Creek: Laurel Creek Clubhouse, 4017 Laurel Creek Drive, Rock Hill
Mt. Gallant: Mt, Gallant Elementary School, 4664 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill
Orchard Park: Philadelphia Methodist Church, 1691 W. S.C. 160, Fort Mill
Palmetto: Tega Cay Baptist Church, 1875 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill
Pleasant Road: Real Life Assembly, 1930 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill
Rosewood: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1830 Celanese Road, Rock Hill
Riverview: St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road, Fort Mill
Shoreline: Lakeshore Christian Fellowship, 130 Shoreline Parkway, Tega Cay
Steele Creek: Church of Christ at Gold Hill Road, 1055 Gold Hill Road, Fort Mill
Tega Cay: Philip T. Glennon Community Center, 15077 Molokai Drive, Tega Cay
Waterstone: Lake Wylie Lutheran Church, 2906 S.C. 160, Fort Mill
Windjammer: Tega Cay Municipal Building, 7000 Tega Cay Drive, Tega Cay
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