The Buzz: Who’s not running again in 2016 – so far
All 170 seats in the S.C. State House are up for election this year.
But even before those contests, not every legislator will be back in Columbia next January.
At least nine members of the General Assembly have said they do not plan to seek re-election. More than half are from the coast.
More lawmakers are expected to decide to end their trips to Columbia before primary filing begins March 16.
(By the way, S.C. party leaders say all seven congressmen and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-North Charleston, will run again.)
Here are the state legislators who have said they will leave their seats at the end of the year:
Senate
Ray Cleary, R-Georgetown: Dentist known for fighting to win roads funding will leave after three terms.
Joel Lourie, D-Richland: Departure after 18 years in House and Senate will end a streak of his family serving in the Legislature since 1965.
Paul Thurmond, R-Charleston: The son of legendary S.C. politician Strom Thurmond, the Charleston Republican backed removing the Confederate flag from the State House and now will depart after a single term.
House
Stephen Goldfinch, R-Georgetown: Two-term representative will run for Senate seat being vacated by Cleary.
Jenny Horne, R-Dorchester: Running for Congress against U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford, R-Charleston, after gaining note for a fiery take-it-down speech during the Confederate flag debate.
Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston: Longtime legislator who helped create panel that financed the Ravenel Bridge will step aside after 22 years.
Deborah Long, R-Lancaster: Will depart after four terms. Lancaster County GOP chairman Brandon Newton, 21, is her expected successor.
Mia McLeod, D-Richland: Three-term House member is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Lourie.
Walt McLeod, D-Newberry: Lawmaker with an unmistakable voice will leave the Legislature after two decades.
2016 in SC
Donald Trump: The Republican New York billionaire will hold a rally Friday at Winthrop University.
Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich and Marco Rubio: Half-dozen GOP hopefuls will speak Saturday at a poverty forum in Columbia. The forum is sponsored by the Jack Kemp Foundation and will be moderated by U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and U.S. Sen. Scott.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of the story included the incorrect number of General Assembly seats open for election. The number is 170.
This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 4:14 PM with the headline "The Buzz: Who’s not running again in 2016 – so far."