A pattern that has been seen in local elections in The T&D Region numerous times in recent years will repeat itself on Nov. 4.

While the presidential race will be contested, incumbents in local races — most of them Democrats — will largely run unopposed in Bamberg, Calhoun and Orangeburg counties.

This year, Orangeburg and Bamberg counties will have no contested county races.

In Orangeburg, the election for the county offices of sheriff (Larry Williams), coroner (Samuetta Marshall) and county council seats in districts 2 (Johnny Ravenell), 3 (Harry Wimberly), 4 (Heyward Livingston) and 5 (Janie Cooper) all feature Democratic incumbents running unopposed.

Only in the clerk of court’s position will there be a new face in office. Winnifa Brown Clark defeated incumbent Lisa Mizell in the June Democratic primary.

In Bamberg County, Democratic incumbents in county council districts 1 (Chris Wilson), 4 (Clair P. Guess), 5 (Isaiah Odom) and 7 (Clint Carter), sheriff (John “Ed” Darnell), clerk of court (James “Pedie” Hires), coroner (Willard Billy Duncan) and probate judge (Nancy Hand Green) are running unopposed. State Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Denmark, also faces no opposition in S.C. House District 90.

The only countywide races in Calhoun County involve the sheriff and three seats on the Calhoun County School District board of trustees.

In the sheriff’s race, Democratic incumbent Thomas Summers takes on Republican A.J. Logan. The non-partisan contests for the Calhoun County School Board involve Tommie J. Glover, Melody Inabinet Pedings, Gary B. Porth, and Scott E. Segars in District 1. Michael N. Drake, Joyce Jones Parrish and Ernest W. Bucky Stokes Jr. will face off in District 4. In District 3, Sandra M. Tucker is unopposed.

Additionally, First Judicial Circuit Solicitor David M. Pascoe, the Democratic incumbent, will face GOP contender Benjy Lafond. The First Judicial Circuit includes Calhoun, Dorchester and Orangeburg counties.

Democrats and Republicans will also face off in S.C. Senate District 40, where Democratic incumbent Sen. Brad Hutto will face GOP challenger John E. Strickland.

In S.C. House District 66, incumbent Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter will face Republican opposition from Tim Hawkins in a rematch of the race Cobb-Hunter won two years ago.

The 2nd Congressional District will have incumbent GOP Rep. Joe Wilson facing off against Democrat Rob Miller, while Rep. James Clyburn of the 6th Congressional District takes on Republican challenger Nancy Harrelson.

Republican Lindsey Graham will seek his second term in the U.S. Senate against Democratic opponent Bob Conley.

Last but not least, there will be other candidates for the office of president other than those representing the two major political parties. The Republicans’ Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Joe Biden will be joined by the following political party candidates for president/vice-president: Libertarian — Bob Barr/Wayne A Root; Constitution — Chuck Baldwin/Darrell Castle and, on the ballot by petition — Ralph Nader/Matt Gonzalez.

 

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