Filing window for candidates running for office in Horry County open through March 30

By Ruben Lowman

Horry County residents who wish to run for office come Election Day have until March 30 to file their paperwork. 

Filing for seats in public office began at noon on March 16 and will give those interested in running another week to submit their paperwork filing for their candidacy. Several candidates have already filed and announced their campaigns over the past few months, but last week marked the official start to election season in the county, in a year with many races in both state and local politics. 

Area voters will have a ballot with dozens of local races and seats up for election, as well as national races like the U.S. Senate and the 7^th Congressional District, a seat held by Republican Tom Rice. Primaries, both Republican and Democrat, are scheduled to be held on June 14 with any runoffs necessary to take place two weeks later on June 28. The general election is scheduled to be held on Nov. 8 this year. 

The local races and incumbents are as follows: State House District 104 – Rep. William Bailey (North Myrtle Beach, Little River and Longs), District 105 – Rep. Kevin Hardee (Longs and Loris) and District 107 – Rep. Case Brittain (Myrtle Beach and Briarcliffe Acres); Probate Judge – Kathy Ward; 15^th Circuit Solicitor – Jimmy Richardson; Horry County Council Chairman – Johnny Gardner; Horry County Council Districts 1 – Harold Worley (North Myrtle Beach and Little River), District 2 – Bill Howard (Myrtle Beach and Briarcliffe Acres); Horry County Board of Education Chairman – Ken Richardson; Horry County Board of Education District 1 – W. Russell Freeman (North Myrtle Beach and Little River), District 2 – Sherrie Todd (Myrtle Beach and Briarcliffe Acres); Soil & Water Commission (two seats); Watershed Districts – Buck Creek (Longs), Todd Swamp (Longs) and Simpson Creek (Longs).

National and state offices up for election are: Governor/Lt. Governor – Gov. Henry McMaster/Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette ; Secretary of State – Mark Hammond; State Treasurer – Curtis Loftis; Comptroller General – Richard Eckstrom; State Superintendent of Education – Molly Spearman; Attorney General – Alan Wilson; and Commissioner of Agriculture – Hugh Weathers.

For details about voter registration or additional information about filing, visit scvotes.gov.