Filing opens Wednesday for Congress, Statehouse and local races, but campaigning has begun

Although campaigning for some of South Carolina’s most powerful statewide offices has been underway for months, the season officially starts March 16 when the two-week filing window opens.

At stake in June 14 primaries and then a Nov. 8 general election are all seven of the state’s Congressional seats and constitutional offices that include the governor. Also on the ballot are 124 S.C. House positions. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, a Charleston Republican, is also seeking his second full term.

Down ticket races for local government posts are also up for grabs.

Here’s a list of Grand Strand names seeking Election Day wins.

7th Congressional District

In what’s shaping up to be among the nation’s highest profile GOP primaries, incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Rice is facing a crowded roster of rivals. That roster is led by state Rep. Russell Fry, a Trump-backed attorney who accused Rice of selling out his party by voting to impeach the former president for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Fry, who’s served as the 106th District representative since 2015, is part of a field that includes insurance agent Barbara Arthur, Cheraw family doctor Garrett Barton, current Horry County Schools board chairman Ken Richardson and Jeanette Spurlock, vice president of the Self Storage Association of South Carolina.

106th state House District

Fry said last summer he won’t seek a return to Columbia regardless of what happens in his Congressional bid, paving the way for a new Statehouse face.

Longtime Horry County GOP insider Brian Sweeney, who’s been president of its Burgess district for three years, is among those hoping for a House term.

His platform includes opposition to completing Interstate 73, focusing instead on more investment in already completed roads in the area. He also opposes mask and vaccine mandates, according to his campaign website.

Howard Barnard, a member of the Horry County Schools governing board since 2020, is also planning to file, announcing his intentions on Jan. 26.

He also spent two terms on County Council. Barnard said his priorities would be focusing on issues affecting the military and veterans.

Horry County Council

A leadership battle is brewing among the county’s policy making group, with former Council chairman Mark Lazarus on March 10 signaling his intention to run again.

Lazarus lost the job in 2018 to current Councilman Johnny Gardner, who is seeking another term at the helm.. Colleague Johnny Vaught is also running. All are Republican. Voters will pick their winner in the June 14 primary.

Horry County Schools

Another primary race featuring intra-council drama, District Six representative Helen Smith is seeking the gavel, running for the board’s chairperson post against District Four representative David Cox and Darrell Ricketts, a 37-year district employee.

Filing for all races runs from noon March 16 through noon to March 30.

Information on filing fees and deadlines and answers other campaign related questions can be found at sc.gov.

This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 12:00 AM.