Close win for Jackie Terribile, ‘conservative cause’ in 66th SC House District
Jackie Terribile narrowly defeated Michele Branning for the S.C. House District 66 seat, according to unofficial results from the South Carolina Election Commission.
Final results from the Republican primary contest across York County didn’t post until shortly before midnight. The Herald reported the House District 66 result two hours before Branning posted a reel and update on her campaign Facebook page conceding the race. Terribile also claimed victory on her campaign Facebook page.
“This is a victory not just for District 66, but for the conservative cause in our state,” she posted.
Terribile garnered 52% of the vote with 48% for Branning, in the closest primary race the Rock Hill region saw on Tuesday, based on those unofficial results. Branning had received 54% of early voting and mail-in ballots but Terribile won out during the election.
Terribile will occupy the seat since there’s no opposition on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
The primary campaign was tough, she said a little before 11 p.m., but a grassroots effort got her through it. Messages of transparency in education and reduced taxes resonated, Terribile said.
“People in the community wanted somebody like myself who was really not a politician but felt like they needed to get involved in government to hold our officials accountable,” she said.
With no opponent this fall, Terribile plans to meet with outgoing Rep. David O’Neal to get up to speed on important state issues. Her goal is to listen to the people who elected her and work on the issues that impact them.
“I’m very grateful that people felt like I would do a great job representing them,” Terribile said.
Terribile has a background in business and marketing, and she founded a consulting company. She also was an organizer for York County’s chapter of Moms For Liberty. She’s been involved with education advocacy, and is a member of the South Carolina State Board of Education.
Branning came to the area in 2007 and works as a Realtor. She’s been elected to the Fort Mill School District board three times since 2014 and she’s president of the South Carolina School Boards Association.
Terribile will serve Tega Cay and parts of Fort Mill west of Interstate 77.
The other election that will determine a seat Tuesday is House District. 43. Incumbent Randy Ligon defeated challenger Elias Irizarry, according to unofficial results, and won’t face opposition this fall.
That contest was clearer with Ligon collecting 72% of the vote, according to unofficial results, to 28% for Irizarry. House District 43 represents southeastern Rock Hill and eastern Chester County.
Ligon has lived most of his life in Chester and spent time as a farmer, commercial Realtor, businessman and auctioneer. The incumbent was first elected to serve District 43 in 2018. The Ligon Company, which he owns in Rock Hill, specializes in auctions and commercial properties.
Irizarry is a Rock Hill resident who grew up in Fort Mill. The Citadel graduate spent time as a firefighter, construction manager and student campus director for the Trump campaign in this year’s presidential primary, according to Irizarry’s campaign site.
Last year, Irizarry pleaded guilty to a role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot. His campaign page references Irizarry being one of “thousands of Americans arrested for nonviolent actions” in that event.
Other races are Republican primaries where the winners, according to unofficial results, will face challenges this fall. They include:
S.C. Senate District 17
Everett Stubbs won with 58% of the vote against Tripp McCoy, with 26%, and Tibi Czentye who had 16%.
Incumbent Democrat Mike Fanning awaits Stubbs in the Nov. 5 general election for the southeastern Rock Hill district that also includes some of the Lancaster County panhandle, plus all of Chester and Fairfield counties.
S.C. Senate District 27
Allen Blackmon received 82% of the vote against incumbent Penry Gustafson who had 18% according to unofficial results, with all three of the counties in that contest reporting.
Blackmon faces Democrat Yokima Cureton in November. The district covers Lancaster County below its panhandle, with most of Kershaw and Chesterfield counties.
S.C. House District 26
David Martin defeated Elizabeth Enns with 54% of the vote compared to 46%. The final result almost mirrored pre-election day ballots.
Martin will run against Workers Party candidate Kiral Mace and Democrat Matt Vilardebo this fall. The district represents the Fort Mill area between I-77 and Lancaster County.
S.C. House District 45
Incumbent Brandon Newton defeated challenger Vic Dabney, earning 77% of the vote compared to Dabney’s 23%. All counties have reported.
Newton takes on Democrat Nicole Ventour this fall for the western Lancaster and Kershaw counties district, below the Indian Land panhandle.
This fall, candidates will run in 18 state legislature seats that represent at least part of York, Lancaster or Chester counties.
This story was originally published June 11, 2024 at 9:27 PM.
