MYRTLE BEACH — The first day of filing for Tom Rice’s former seat as Horry County Council chairman officially put two names into the fold and ended with confirmation from another well-known person that he won’t be seeking the post.
Clark Parker, who made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Congress in 2010, said he had considered running for the seat, but unless something drastically changes he doesn’t think he’s going to give it a go after all.
Mark Lazarus, a local business man and former councilman, filed Friday, according to his spokesman Russell Fry.
Horry County Councilman Al Allen also filed as soon as the deadline opened Friday.
Liz Gilland, who held the position before Rice, said she intends to file on Monday.
Then there’s Debbie Harwell, a local business woman who is considering putting her name in as a candidate. As of Friday, she said she still hadn’t come to her final decision.
The filing deadline to enter the race is Jan. 28.
The special election will fill the seat left open when Rice was elected as the 7th Congressional District’s new U.S. representative in November.
A primary election is scheduled for March 12, followed by the April 30 general election.
The person elected will fill a term that expires in 2014.
Contact reporter BRAD DICKERSON at 626-0301.
