Democrats, Republicans lining up to run for open Horry County Council seat

Filing for Horry County Council’s District 7 seat won’t open for two more weeks, but candidates are already stepping up to run.

Officials with the local Republican and Democratic parties say there’s growing interest in the seat that serves Bucksport and Conway. The post’s previous occupant, James Frazier, officially stepped down this week because of health problems. The 77-year-old Democrat had served on the council since 1980.

“It’s genuine change,” said Joan Furlong, chairwoman of the Horry County Democratic Party. “He’s so well respected.”

So far, Furlong said, she knows Bucksport resident Lee Sherman has committed to running and she’s spoken with two others who are considering a bid. Furlong added that she’s heard a fourth person may jump in the race as well.

“We could very likely have a contested primary, which is a healthy sign,” she said. “[There’s] enough interest in that seat.”

Although Furlong hopes to see a Democrat keep the seat, Robert Rabon suspects the next occupant will be a Republican.

Rabon, chairman of the Horry County GOP, said Mike Roberts, who narrowly lost to Frazier in 2014, is running again and he’s heard Brandon Sessions, another former council candidate, is interested, too. Rabon said several people he’s spoken with were unsure which primary they would enter.

Despite the seat being in a Democrat’s hands for so long, Rabon expects the Republican turnout will be strong.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “I think a Republican will win it.”

Filing for the seat opens on March 18 and closes on March 28. Primaries are scheduled for May 17 and, if necessary, a runoff will be held May 31. The general election is slated for July 5.

The winner will serve the remainder of Frazier’s term, which runs through 2018.

This story was originally published March 4, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Democrats, Republicans lining up to run for open Horry County Council seat."