In addition to some high-profile contested races, mostly at the state level, local voters will also see a number of uncontested candidates on the ballots in today’s general election.

Unless there is a write-in challenge, these candidates are up for election without opposition..

Uncontested candidates on Orangeburg County ballots include two County Council members with legal woes.

Council Chairman John Rickenbacker of District 7, who has been suspended from council, pending the outcome of his federal corruption trial; and District 6 Councilman Clyde Livingston, who is facing a stolen goods charge, are on the ballot for new four-year terms. Also unopposed is Councilman Johnnie Wright of District 1.

A federal grand jury indicted Rickenbacker in June on charges of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and with extortion. The charges stem from allegations that the chairman solicited money and received bribes from an FBI agent posing as a consultant for a health care company interested in buying or leasing The Regional Medical Center.

Although jury selection had been scheduled to start today, pretrial arguments have been postponed until Dec. 19, with jury selection pushed back until Jan. 9. He has pleaded not guilty.

Livingston, who defeated Orangeburg City Councilman Trelvis Miller in the June Democratic primary, was charged in May 2004 with receiving stolen goods totalling about $600. He is the owner of a business that sells used merchandise.

After 2-1/2 years, the case is set for trial Nov. 15 in the city of Orangeburg’s Municipal Court. Livingston has denied the allegation.

Unopposed on the ballot for the four-year terms of courthouse offices are Treasurer J. Steve Summers, Auditor Roger Cleckley and Probate Judge Pandora Glover.

In the House races for new two-year terms, three candidates are unopposed; District 95 Rep. Jerry Govan; Rep. Harry Ott of District 93, which includes all of Calhoun County and part of Orangeburg and Lexington counties, and District 90 nominee Bakari Sellers, whose district includes all of Bamberg County as well as part of Orangeburg and Colleton counties. Sellers defeated veteran lawmaker Thomas Rhoad in the June primary.

All Orangeburg County elected officials are Democrats.

Local nonpartisan offices are all unopposed in Orangeburg County. Soil and Water Conservation incumbent Commissioner Samuel “Buddy” Felder and Ewart Irick will be on the ballot; as will as Ty Pritcher, the only candidate to file for a seat on the Horse Range Watershed District. A write-in will be necessary to fill the second seat up for election to a four-year term.

Candidates unopposed in Calhoun County are County Council members Roger Hill of District 3, a Republican; and Democratic Councilmen Steve Livingston of District 4 and James Haigler of District 5. Incumbent Commissioner Fred Gantt III and newcomer, Ronnie Bozard, are unopposed on the nonpartisan Soil and Water Conservation District.

Unopposed candidates in Bamberg County, all Democrats, are: Treasurer Ann Clayton; Auditor Margaret Meyer; District 2 County Councilwoman-elect Alzena Robinson, who defeated incumbent Roger Moses in the June primary; District 3 County Councilwoman Dot Tatum and District 6 Councilman William Nimmons.

In the nonpartisan Soil and Water Conservation District, incumbent Commissioner Joseph McMillan is on the ballot for a four-year term. Since no other candidate filed, the other seat will be filled by write-in vote.

The only statewide official unopposed is Attorney General Henry McMaster, a Republican.

-- T&D Government Writer Tucker Lyon can be reached at tlyon@timesanddemocrat.com or by calling 803-533-5545.

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