SC House incumbents in York, Chester, Lancaster had challengers. Who’s keeping seats?
Most incumbents in York County races appeared to beat back challenges Tuesday to retain seats in the S.C. House of Representatives and Senate, according to unofficial election returns.
However, a Democratic incumbent in Lancaster County in the S.C. House appears to have lost the seat to a Republican challenger.
Area incumbents also appear to have won in S.C. Senate races where they ran, election results showed. A York County Councilman appears to have easily won an open seat in the state Senate, state election commission unofficial results showed Tuesday night.
S.C. House of Representatives York, Chester
Republican Raye Felder, the only female member of the York County legislative delegation, had what appears to be a sizable win over Democrat Monica Danneman to retain the District 26 seat that covers much of the area around Fort Mill.
Felder was leading with about 60 percent of the vote after all York County precincts were reported Wednesday, South Carolina election figures show.
The only Democrat incumbent in the York County House delegation, John King, also appears to have easily won re-election by beating the same challenger as in 2018. King defeated Johnny Walker for the District 49 seat that covers parts of Rock Hill, York, and areas in southern York County.
King, past chairman of the South Carolina black caucus, is the sole African-American in the York County delegation.
King had about 63 percent of the vote after all precincts in York and Chester counties reported Wednesday.
“I just want to thank my constituents in District 49 for having confidence and trust in me, to keep electing me to represent our district,” King said late Tuesday.
Republican Tommy Pope easily kept the District 47 House seat he has had for a decade.
Pope, the former York County solicitor who became a national figure when he prosecuted child killer Susan Smith in 1995, faced Democratic challenger Ryan McKenzie Arioli for the District 47 race. That district covers Lake Wylie, Clover and York.
Pope had about 73 percent of the vote Wednesday.
“I am honored to return to Columbia to represent the citizens of House 47,” Pope said. “I will continue to work hard to earn their trust. I thank the members of the Pope team for their hard work during this campaign.”
Bruce Bryant, a Republican elected in 2017 after 20 years as York County sheriff, appears to have defeated Democrat Kathryn Roberts to retain the District 48 seat that covers parts of Rock Hill, Lake Wylie and Tega Cay, figures show.
Bryant had about 60 percent of the vote after all precincts reported.
“I look forward to to getting back to the people’s Statehouse to continue work for the great people of South Carolina,” Bryant said.
In District 45 that covers some of northeastern York County and Indian Land in Lancaster County, incumbent Republican Brandon Newton appears to have easily defeated Democratic challenger Keith T Grey Sr., according to state election numbers. Newton had more than 64 percent of the vote.
Republican Randy Ligon of Chester appears to have defeated Democrat Reid Carrico in District 43. That district covers most of Chester County and part of York County.
Ligon had about 68 percent of the votes.
Ligon thanked voters in a statement on social media.
“I will continue to work hard for you and get things done as your state representative,” Ligon said.
In District 41 that includes part of Chester County, along with most of Fairfield County and part of Richland County north of Columbia, Democrat incumbent Annie McDaniel outlasted Republican challenger Jennifer Brecheisen. McDaniel had about 64 percent of votes cast in all three counties, Wednesday statistics show.
Republican incumbents Dennis Moss of Gaffney, in District 29 that covers part of western York County, and Steve Moss of Blacksburg, whose District 30 also has part of western York County, and Gary Simrill of Rock Hill in District 46 won after running unopposed.
Republican ousts Lancaster Democrat from S.C. House of Representatives
In Lancaster County, Democrat incumbent Mandy Powers Norrell appears to have lost the District 44 seat where she ran against Republican Sandy McGarry. McGarry had about 55 percent of the vote, state election figures show.
in A Facebook statement, McGarry praised Lancaster County voters.
“We won because of your hard work and faith in me,” McGarry said. “I look forward to being your voice in the State House.”
Powers Norrell, who ran for Lieutenant governor in 2018 on the ticket with gubernatorial hopeful James Smith, lost the House seat she had held since 2012. She stated in a social media statement she will assist McGarry in moving into public service.
“I want to congratulate my opponent on her victory and thank her for a well-run campaign,” Powers Norrell said. “It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there and run for office and I appreciate her for stepping into the arena. And I pledge to be there for anything she needs in this transition.”
House members serve two-year terms.
S.C. Senate York, Chester, Lancaster counties
Republican Michael Johnson appears to have handily defeated Democrat Ram Mammadov for the District 16 race.
Johnson, of Fort Mill, is the chairman of the York County Council. He will give up that seat when he is sworn into the Senate. The district covers parts of York County and Lancaster County.
Johnson was leading with about 63 percent of the vote.
“I am grateful to the people of District 16 for their support,” Johnson said. “If the numbers hold, this is because the people did it, not me. I am humbled by the chance to represent our area.”
The seat was open after Republican Greg Gregory of Lancaster did not seek re-election.
In District 15 that covers part of York County, Republican incumbent Wes Climer pushed back challenger Democrat Vickie Holt. Climer had a 20-point lead with about 60 percent of the vote.
The sole incumbent Democratic senator in the area delegation, Mike Fanning of Great Falls, appears to have won a tight race with Republican challenger Erin Mosley for the District 17 seat. The district covers all of Chester County and part of York County.
As of Wednesday, state election statistics show Fanning with just over 51 percent of the vote. Fanning had more than 26,600 votes, while Mosley had about 25,000.
In a statement on Facebook social media, Fanning vowed to keep working for the district, and praised Mosley for running a spirited race.
“Erin worked hard these last six months, ran a great campaign, and I was honored to compete with her for the honor of serving the citizens of Chester, Fairfield, and York counties,” Fanning said.
In District 14 that covers most of western York County, Republican incumbent Harvey Peeler of Gaffney appears to have easily defeated Sarah Work of the Alliance Party. Peeler had about 83 percent of the vote.
Senate members serve four-year terms.
This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 11:11 PM.
