Candidates File for Primaries in Darlington County
Linda Byrd-Spearman of Darlington formally declared her candidacy for the SC House District 62 seat.
Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
The Darlington County Elections and Registrations office saw some last minute traffic last Friday as the noon deadline loomed for candidates to file for the Democratic and Republican Primaries, set for June 12.
For the office of Probate Judge, Democratic incumbent Marvin Lawson of Darlington has filed for reelection and faces no opposition in the Primary. In the fall General Election, Lawson will face Republican challenger Dylan S. Crowley of Hartsville. No other Republicans filed for this nomination.
In the State House 62 race, the lone Republican candidate is Billy Baldwin of Darlington. Three Democratic candidates will be on the Primary ballot: Linda Byrd-Spearman of Darlington, Joe Ard of Darlington, and incumbent Robert Williams of Darlington.
Williams also threw his hat in the ring for the U.S. House of Representatives 7th Congressional District race, seeking the Democratic nomination. Mal Hyman of Hartsville, Bruce Fischer of Longs, and Bill Hopkins are also seeking this nomination. Republican incumbent Tom Rice faces Primary opposition from challenger Larry Guy Hammond of Myrtle Beach.
The State House 65 incumbent, Jay Lucas of Hartsville, was the only Republican candidate to file. No Democratic candidates filed for this race.
SC House District 60 saw one Democratic candidate file in Darlington County: Devon Justin Long of Florence. The District 60 incumbent is Republican Phillip Lowe.
Darlington County Council has four seats opening up in this election cycle: Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8.
In District 2, Democratic incumbent Dannie Douglas of Society Hill faces no opposition in either the primary or the General Election.
In District 4, Democratic incumbent and current Council chair Bobby Hudson of Lamar was the only candidate to file, meaning he also faces no opposition in the Primary or the General.
District 6 (Hartsville) incumbent Mozella “Pennie” Nicholson did not file for reelection. Three Democratic candidates filed for this seat: Albert Davis III, Gerald Mack, and Lunella Williams. One Republican candidate, Phyllis Griggs, also filed for this seat.
District 8 (Hartsville) incumbent David Coker will face opposition for the Republican nomination from challengers Tim Bazen and Eldon C. Henderson. No Democratic candidates filed for this seat.
The Democratic and Republican Primary Elections take place on Tuesday, June 12, with polling locations open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. To learn more about these elections, please contact Darlington County Elections and Registrations at 843-398-4900.