Key Midlands races on the ballot Tuesday
A quick look at key races on the primary ballots Tuesday in Lexington and Richland counties.
Richland sheriff
Democratic primary
Leon Lott, who has been sheriff for 20 years, faces a primary challenge from retired State Law Enforcement Division agent James Flowers.
Lexington solicitor
GOP primary
Three candidates — Rick Hubbard, a former Lexington assistant solicitor and assistant S.C. attorney general; Candice Lively, a former assistant Grand Strand solicitor; and Larry Wedekind, a former Lexington assistant solicitor and assistant S.C. attorney general — are vying to succeed Donnie Myers, who has been 11th Circuit solicitor for 40 years.
Richland County Council
Democratic primary
District 3: Three candidates are vying to succeed incumbent Damon Jeter — political consultant Michael D'Amelio, Jeter's aunt and former state education official Yvonne McBride, and former law enforcement officer Bruce Trezevant.
District 7: Former Blythewood Mayor Keith Bailey faces former Councilwoman Gwen Kennedy for a vacancy created when incumbent Torrey Rush decided to run for the State Senate.
District 8: Incumbent Jim Manning is being challenged by Wayne Gilbert, a state revenue and fiscal affairs employee and real estate broker who is the son of a former lawmaker.
District 9: Incumbent Julie-Ann Dixon is opposed by Richland 2 school board member Calvin "Chip" Jackson.
District 10: Two contests are occurring simultaneously to replace former Councilman Kelvin Washington, who was removed from office. One is a runoff — between lawyer Dahli Myers and former Councilwoman Bernice Scott, Washington's aunt — to serve through the end of the year. The second contest is among five candidates — Helen Taylor Bradley, Mary Kirkland and Jerome Marvin Miller as well as Myers and Scott — to hold the post after Jan. 1.
Lexington County Council
GOP primary
District 1 (Gaston, Swansea and Pelion): Incumbent Jim Kinard faces a challenge from Scotty Whetstone.
District 3 (Lexington and south shore of Lake Murray): Incumbent Kent Collins faces a trio of challengers — Darrell Hudson, Brad Matthews and Colin Thain.
District 4 (Springdale, Oak Grove and Lexington): Incumbent Debbie Summers faces Gene Wilbur.
District 5 (Red Bank and South Congaree): Brian Duncan is challenging incumbent Bobby Keisler.
District 6 (Irmo, Chapin and Lexington): Four challengers — Erin Long Bergeson, Ronald Derrick, Benjamin Stitely and Dino Teppara — are seeking an open seat created by the upcoming retirement of Johnny Jeffcoat.
State House
In Lexington, all GOP primary: Former Lexington County Councilman Bill Banning, prosecutor Micah Caskey, attorney and West Columbia City Councilman Tem Miles, and attorney and former Lexington County Councilman Billy Oswald, are seeking the District 89 seat, representing Cayce and West Columbia, held by retiring state Rep. Kinny Bingham.
In District 69, which represents parts of West Columbia, St. Andrews and Lexington, state Rep. Rick Quinn, who has been in the House for a combined 20 years, has a 31-year-old challenger in Ryan Holt.
In Richland: Richland 2 school board member Monica Elkins, pastor Ivory Thigpen and attorney Vannie Williams Jr. are running in the Democratic primary for the District 79 seat that Mia McLeod is giving up to run for state Senate.
Richland County Councilman Torrey Rush is challenging state Sen. John Scott in the District 19 Democratic primary. In the District 21 Democratic primary, political activist Wendy Brawley is taking a second run at state Sen. Darrell Jackson.
In District 71, state Rep. Nathan Ballentine is facing Richland County Councilman Bill Malinowski in Richland's only contested GOP primary race.
What you need to know before you vote Tuesday
What hours will the polls be open?
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. As long as you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
What candidates and/or offices will be on my ballot?
To see the candidates that will appear on your ballot, visit scvotes.org and click“ Get My Sample Ballot.”
Where do I vote? Your polling place is listed on your voter registration card. You also can find your polling place by visiting scvotes.org and clicking on “Find My Polling Place.”
Do I have to be a registered member of a party to vote in a primary? No. South Carolina does not have registration by party. You can vote in either primary Tuesday.
What do I take with me to the polls to vote? You will be asked to show one of the following photo IDs: S.C. driver’s license; S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles ID card, including a S.C. concealed weapons permit; S.C. voter registration card with photo; U.S. passport; or federal military ID, including all Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs photo IDs.
What if I don’t have one of these photo IDs? You may vote a provisional ballot after signing an affidavit saying you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining a photo ID. This ballot will count unless someone proves to the county elections board that you are lying about your identity or having the listed impediment.
This story was originally published June 13, 2016 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Key Midlands races on the ballot Tuesday."