10 Jun MyHorryNews.com: Many Incumbents Face No Opposition
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Tuesday’s primary will be the only test for several Horry County candidates in their pursuit of public office. Others won’t even have to worry about that.
Many incumbents aren’t facing any opposition, meaning they will serve another term, barring an unprecedented write-in campaign.
Here’s a look at who’s running:
Horry County Board of Education
Chairman Joe DeFeo doesn’t have any opposition from either party. Board member John Poston had filed to run against DeFeo but withdrew, opting to compete for his District 8 seat instead.The most contested school board race is in District 4, which is now vacant due to the death of Kay Loftus.
Three Republicans — David Cox, Robert Palmer and Scott Thompson — are vying for the chance to face Democrat Catherine Cameron in the fall.
District 4 includes part of the Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Socastee and St. James attendance areas. Cox is currently representing District 9, which includes Green Sea Floyds, Loris and North Myrtle Beach area.
Janice Morreale is unopposed in District 5.
Poston will face Republican Patricia Milley for the District 8 spot.
James Edwards and Chris Hardwick will meet in the Republican primary to face Democrat Ronald Bessant in November to replace Cox in District 9.
Incumbent Jeffrey Garland will face Republican challenger Shanda Allen for the District 11 seat.
Horry County offices
Republican incumbents Sheriff Phillip Thompson and Coroner Robert Edge don’t face any opposition.Renee Elvis and David Jordan are running as Republicans for Clerk of Court. No Democrats filed for the race.
For auditor, incumbent Lois Eargle did face opposition in the Republican primary from Robert Rabon, but he withdrew from the race. There’s no Democratic opposition.
Republicans Jonathan Hyman and Angie Jones are hoping to replace retiring Roddy Dickinson as the county treasurer. No Democrats entered the race.
Horry County Council
Democratic incumbent Jimmy Washington will face Republican Dennis DiSabato for the District 3 seat in November.Incumbent Gary Loftus and Dick Withington filed to run for the Republican primary for the District 4 seat. The winner will face Democrat Robin Gause in November.
Republican Cam Crawford has no opposition for his District 6 seat.
Republican incumbent Paul Prince has primary opposition from Terry Fowler for the District 9 council seat. No Democrats filed for the office.
Republicans Devon Blackwell and Danny Hardee are vying for the District 10 seat with no Democratic opposition.
State House and Senate
Most members of the Horry County legislative delegation ended up with no opposition for either June or November.Those include Greg Hembree, state Senate 28, Mike Ryhal, state House 56, Heather Ammons Crawford, state House 68, Greg Duckworth, state House 104, Kevin Hardee, state House 105, Russell Fry, state House 106 and Alan Clemmons, state House 107.
With state Senator Ray Cleary deciding not to seek re-election, four Republicans filed to run for his Senate District 34 seat. They are Reese Boyd, Joe Ford, Stephen Goldfinch and Dick Withington who had also filed for the Horry County District 4 seat. No Democrats filed for the seat.
Republican incumbent state Sen. Luke Rankin will face primary opposition from Scott Pyle for his District 33 seat.
U.S. Congress
U.S. District 7 Congressman Tom Rice will face Democrat Mal Hyman in November.