5 races to watch in the Rock Hill region as primary filing period ends
Filing is over, as candidates across the Rock Hill region look to make their cases for public office. Some of those candidates will represent fast-growing and constantly changing areas.
Filing closed at noon Monday, March 30. Seats with multiple candidates from any political party will be on the June 9 statewide primary ballot. Winners from that contest, or candidates who don’t face a primary challenge, will advance to the statewide general election Nov. 3.
A U.S. Senate and U.S. House seat also are up for vote this year, as is the governor seat and several major statewide offices. All S.C. House of Representatives seats are on the ballot. So are about half of the county council seats in York, Lancaster and Chester counties.
Barring any petition candidates or late filings just ahead of the noon deadline that the state elections site hasn’t posted yet, the field is set. Here are five local races to watch heading into the primaries in June:
York County Council Dist. 7
Why it’s important: The high-growth district covers Fort Mill east of Interstate 77, from the Dobys Bridge Road corridor near Indian Land to the North Carolina line bordering Charlotte. The district includes downtown Fort Mill and the Carowinds corridor, and is home to the county’s biggest ongoing controversy. Silfab Solar and Flint Hill Elementary School, sites that residents have protested going beside one another, are in Dist. 7.
Who filed: Two longtime area residents filed for the Republican contest. Incumbent Councilwoman Debi Cloninger seeks a second term against civic volunteer and business owner Scott Couchenour. The winner will run uncontested this fall.
York County Council Dist. 3
Why it’s important: York County’s largest and most rural district is in a period of change. York is seeing unprecedented population growth with the addition of new home subdivisions. Areas west of the town of Clover are in Dist. 3 too, which runs the entire western length of York County. Yet, residents often speak up at public meetings asking to preserve the natural character of the area.
Who filed: Incumbent Tommy Adkins faces a test in the Republican primary from two challengers, Stephanie Brown and Brad Sims. The winner will run unopposed in November.
S.C. House Dist. 49
Why it’s important: One of only two area House districts with a Democratic primary (House Dist. 47), the House Dist. 49 seat covers southwestern Rock Hill down to the Chester County line. It also spans west to cover much of the city of York. It’s a mix of densely populated Rock Hill and largely rural areas. The race also pits two established political names against one another.
Who filed: Incumbent Rep. John King will face Perry Sutton in the Democratic race. King has been a state representative since 2009, after terms on Chester City Council and Chester County Council. Sutton is a former Rock Hill City Council member who served many of the same areas included in the House district. The winner will run unopposed in November.
S.C. House Dist. 44
Why it’s important: The district covers most of the Lancaster County panhandle, including the Indian Land area that’s fed population growth for decades. This district is the main reason Lancaster County is the fastest-growing county in the Charlotte metro region, and one of the fastest growing in South Carolina. After years of Indian Land filling in on the north side, residential growth is now coming to the southern part of the district.
Who filed: Incumbent Mike Neese faces challenger Tripp McCoy in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Katie Crosby in the general election.
S.C. House Dist. 26
Why it’s important: House Dist. 26 covers almost the exact area as York County Council Dist. 7. Representatives from both of those seats routinely respond to issues impacting Fort Mill, from the Silfab debate to traffic surrounding area schools. The district will see a primary rematch this year.
Who filed: Elizabeth Enns and David Martin will face off again for the Republican primary, two years after Martin won the seat. The winner will go up against Democrat Jenny Desch and Worker Party candidate Kiral Mace in November.
Other primary contests
Several other federal, state and local contests have primaries. For details on all the races, including candidates who are running unopposed in the primary or general elections, follow this local election coverage and visit heraldonline.com.