Another candidate joins race to succeed former Lexington County legislator Quinn

The number of candidates seeking to succeed Rick Quinn as a Lexington County lawmaker increased to five Thursday as attorney Joel Deason, a former legislative staff member, said he’ll run.

Quinn resigned the House District 69 seat he held for seven years before pleading guilty to misconduct in office Wednesday.

The heavily Republican district stretches across West Columbia, Oak Grove, Lexington, the southeast shore of Lake Murray and the St. Andrews area.

Filing for the contest begins Dec. 29 and ends Jan. 6. Then voters will go to the polls May 1 to pick Quinn’s successor to serve through 2018.

Primary elections leading up to the May vote will take place Feb. 27, with a run-off March 13 if necessary.

The May 1 winner then faces running again in a June primary and possible run-off to retain the post beyond 2018.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Another candidate joins race to succeed former Lexington County legislator Quinn."