GOP Candidates Running for Every Office First Time Since Reconstruction
“We are excited that we have a Republican running for every office in Greenville County for the first time since 1880,” said a smiling and happy Samuel Harms, Chairman of the Greenville County Republican Executive Committee when the filing period ended Sunday at Noon.
The Republican Party ruled South Carolina backed by Federal occupation troops from shortly after the end of the war in 1865 until the revolutionary campaign and election of Gen. Wade Hampton III as Governor of South Carolina in 1876.
Harms, with the assistance of a recently appointed candidate selection committee, had worked diligently almost to the deadline to ensure that a qualified candidate had filed for every office.
A total of 36 Republicans filed for elective office in Greenville County. The only Republican incumbents not filing for reelection were Sen. Lewis Vaughn in Senate District 5 and Rep. Glenn Hamilton in House District 20. Both announced their retirement. Rep. Phil Shoopman filed for Sen. District 5 and Dan Hamilton filed for his father’s seat in House District 20; Neither Shoopman nor Hamilton have Republican or Democrat opposition.
While Republican candidates are challenging all incumbent Democrats, only two Democrats are challenging incumbent Republicans. Jonathan David Smith has filed for State House District 28. The incumbent is first term Republican Eric Michael Beding-field. Dexter L. Reeves has filed as a Democrat for Greenville County Sheriff. Republican Sheriff Steve Loftis also has a Republican primary challenge by Stephen Salter.
There are three contested SC House races in the Republican Primary.
Tommy Stringer and Pete Smith are competing for the District 18 House Seat being vacated by Phil Shoopman. The winner will have no Democrat opponent.
Incumbent Bob Leach is being challenged by William “Bill” Wylie in House District 21. No Democrat has filed for that seat.
Rep. Gloria Haskins is challenged by Wendy Nanney in House District 22 where no Democrat has filed.
District 23 incumbent House member Fletcher Smith has both Democrat and Republican opposition. He is challenged in the Democratic primary by Chandra Dillard, a member of City Council and the winner will face Republican Justin Alexander in the General Election.
Democrat Karl B. Allen will be challenged in the General Election by Republican Rick Freeman.
Incumbent Republican House members Harry Cato, Dwight Loftis, Bruce Bannister and Garry Smith have no opposition from either party.
Only GOP State Senator David Thomas in Sen. Dist. 8 avoided opposition in this election year. Sen. Mike Fair in Sen. Dist. 6 is challenged by Patrick Haddon. Sen. Ralph Anderson has three opponents in the Democratic primary in Sen. Dist. 7 and Republican Roan Garcia-Quintana, Executive Director of “Americans Have Had Enough,” will face the winner in the November General Election. Democrats challenging Sen. Anderson are Lillian Brock Flemming, Andrew Jones and Seldon Peden.
Greenville County Council incumbents Dr. Sid Cates and “Butch” Kirven have no opposition.
First term incumbent Tony Trout has two Republican challengers. They are Steven Pruitt, a teacher at Blue Ridge High School, and Joseph Baldwin, a long-time member of Greer City Council.
First term incumbent Jim Burns is challenged for his District 21 Council seat by Brad Medcalf.
Bryan Haskins, son of Rep. Gloria Haskins, filed Sunday Morning just before the deadline to challenge Dr. Bob Taylor in the Republican primary for Greenville County Council seat 22.
Three Democrats are competing to replace Democrat Cort Flynt who is not seeking reelection in Greenville County Council District 24. They are James Akers, Jr., Robert W. Hanley and Col. Barry Matthews. The winner will face Republican Elizabeth “Liz” Sema in the General Election.
Incumbent Lottie Gibson is challenged in the Democratic primary by Ralph Sweeney and the winner will face Republican Alan Kay in the General Election.
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