‘It’s what we do’: York County voters head to the polls on SC GOP primary day
Voters cast ballots on Tuesday for Republican primary races in York County.
While turnout was modest for most precincts in Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Tega Cay, voters who did come to the polls were most concerned about infrastructure, community, schools and city growth.
Multiple races are on the ballot including sheriff, solicitor, legislative districts 26, 43, 66, as well as county council races in York and Lancaster counties. Unofficial results will be posted once polls are closed with any runoffs taking place June 25
The Herald spoke with some voters to learn which issues were important to them and which candidates they cast ballots for.
What voters said
Carl Clegg is a 53-year-old video producer who came midday to vote for state legislative races.
Clegg said he voted for Jackie Terribile, who is running for SC House District 66.
“I voted for Jackie because she’s a conservative,” Clegg said. “I really hate the interference of people outside of the Republican party trying to influence the vote. It’s kind of sad that’s happening here in our neck of the woods.”
Clegg is against open primaries and urges legislators to stick to their own partisan side.
“If you are a Democrat, vote Democrat if you’re Republican vote for Republican,” he said. “Don’t come into my race and try to influence it with a candidate that isn’t a true Republican.”
Sharon Lothian, who is retired, said she didn’t really know much about this local election.
“I decided to vote because it’s a privilege that we have and feel like if you don’t you’re not taking advantage of the freedoms that we have.”
Lothian took guidance from Sen. Michael Johnson, R-York, on who to vote for in this primary. Johnson, was elected in 2020 and is seeking reelection
“He knew these people and that they were good candidates,” she said.
Among the issues she is most concerned about are growth, schools and infrastructure.
“The whole area is just exploding, schools, roads,” Lothian said.
Tim Rooney, a major league baseball scout, did not share who he voted for, but shared what issues mattered most to him. Among them, he wants candidates that don’t promote extreme positions and who not are polarizing.
“(We) need some people that actually are going to get things done and not going to go out and force an agenda that’s only gonna meet one extreme with the other,” Rooney said.
The Tega Cay resident said he would like to see “a return to cooperation and people seeing eye to eye and understanding that they’re going to have differences but being able to talk through it.”
He added, in the same way it’s important “we teach our children teamwork and respect (for) others and we need our representatives to do the same.”
This story was originally published June 11, 2024 at 6:40 PM.
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