Primary voter guide: Here’s what Lexington, Richland voters need to know
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The State’s candidate questionnaire for SC 2020 Primary Election Day
Several state and local primary elections are held in South Carolina on June 9, 2020. Read The State’s questionnaires below to hear straight from your candidates.
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South Carolinians across the state will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on the candidates they want to represent their party come November.
A bevy of candidates running for local, state and national offices will appear on ballots across the Midlands.
Complicating the election is the coronavirus. State and local officials have warned the pandemic has created a number of issues, including a shortage of poll workers, raising questions about how county officials are going to handle a massive influx of absentee ballots, especially in Richland County, where officials have struggled to hold elections without incident in the past.
Before you head to the polls, here’s what you need to know.
Where can you vote?
Due to a shortage in poll workers, several polling locations have been consolidated. In Richland County alone, polling sites have been nearly halved.
State Election Commission officials advise voters to check where there polling place is online before heading out Tuesday. Voters can do that at SCVotes.org.
Voters who want to vote absentee can vote in person at their local county voter registration offices. Richland County’s office is located in the County Administration Building at 2020 Hampton Street in Columbia. Lexington County’s is located at 605 West Main St. in Lexington.
If you received an absentee ballot in the mail and have not mailed it back in, you can bring it to your local voter registration office. Absentee ballots cannot be returned to local polling places, according to the State Election Commission.
Voters cannot vote in person at local polling places if they have not returned their unmarked mail ballot to their local voter registration office, according to the State Election Commission.
The deadline to vote absentee in person is 5:00 p.m. on June 8, and the deadline to return a mailed ballot to the voter registration office is no later than 7 p.m. on June 9.
How does the coronavirus change things?
Sanitation — Elections officials have put several COVID-19 protections in place, including adding sneeze guards at check-in stations; giving masks, gloves and face shields to poll managers and making hand sanitizer available. They have also given poll workers coronavirus-specific training and supplies to clean common surfaces and voting machines. And voters will receive a cotton swab to make selections on the touchscreen.
Social distancing — Poll workers have been instructed to tape out places voters can stand that are properly socially distanced. Health experts recommend staying at least six feet away from others.
Masks — Voters are encouraged to wear face masks at the polls, though they are not required. Masks cannot have any pro-candidate or anti-candidate statements on them. They also ask that voters bring their own pen to sign in with and practice social distancing.
Who’s running in Lexington, Richland?
Voters will see several contests on the ballot for local, state and federal races. Voters can get a sample ballot for their area to see exactly which seats they will be voting on at the State Election Commission’s website, SCVotes.org.
Here’s who will be on the ballot in Richland and Lexington counties. Incumbents have “(I)“ following their names.
U.S. Senate — Republican primary
LINDSEY GRAHAM (I)
Profession: U.S. Air Force JAG and private practice attorney
Education: University of South Carolina and USC School of Law
Political experience: S.C. House of Representatives (1993-1995), U.S. House of Representatives (1995-2003) and U.S. Senate (2003-present)
DUKE BUCKNER
Profession: English teacher
Education: B.A. English Education from South Carolina State University and a J.D. from Nova Southeastern University
Political experience: Walterboro City Council 2009 to 2013
MICHAEL LAPIERRE
Profession: Retired from serving as Vice President of Sales at a Fortune 500 company
Education: Brown University and an MBA from Clemson
Political experience: Never run for office
JOE REYNOLDS
Profession: Chief engineer, U.S. Merchant Marine
Education: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Political experience: Never run for office
U.S. House, 2nd District — Republican primary
MICHAEL BISHOP
Profession: Owner of Dust to Dust Green Burial Cemetery and other rental properties. Former Clemson employee
Education: Associates in Science
Political experience: Mayor of Springdale
JOE WILSON (I)
Profession: Attorney
Education: Washington and Lee University, USC School of Law, Judge Advocate General School, University of Virginia and Command and General Staff College
Political experience: S.C. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives
S.C. House, District 41
CHARLENE HERRING
Profession: Ridgeway Mayor (2006-2018). Before that was a teacher and a principal
Education: B.A. in History from Columbia College. Masters from University of South Carolina
Political experience: Mayor of Ridgeway (2006-2018). Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 2018-present, Fairfield County Capital Project Sales Tax Commission, 2020, Fairfield County Arts Council Board of Directors, 2018-present
ANNIE MCDANIEL (I)
Profession: S.C. Representative and accounting consultant. She has previously worked as a finance director in school districts, higher education and counties.
Education: B.S., Business Administration, University of South Carolina; USC Master’s in Public Administration
Political experience: S.C. House of Representatives since 2019. Previously served on the Fairfield County School board from 2000-2018.
S.C. House District 75 — Democratic primary
RHODES BAILEY
Profession: Chief litigator for the Richland County Public Defender’s Office.
Education: College of Charleston B.A. in political science, USC School of Law 2007
Political experience: Legal Coordinator for South Carolina Democratic Party Voter Protection (2008-2018) and Obama for America Voter Protection Legal Team (2008)
HEATHER BAUER
Profession: Owner of Workhorse Fitness
Education: Bachelor of Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Master of Media Arts from the University of South Carolina
Political experience: Never run for office
S.C. House, District 80
JIMMY BALES (I)
Profession: S.C. Representative
Education: Bachelors of Arts from Columbia College, Masters from East Tennessee State University and Ed.D. from USC.
Political experience: Richland County Council (1977-1984) (1986-1990). S.C. House of Representatives (1999-present).
JERMAINE JOHNSON
Profession: Campaign Chair for Candidate Andrew Yang, Small Business Owner, Full-time Business Consultant, Adjunct Professor at Webster University, Non-profit leader.
Education: DBA is Oranizational Leadership
Political experience: Richland County Recreation Center commissioner and Former 3rd vice Richland County Democratic Party
S.C. House, District 88
BRIAN DUNCAN
Profession: Owner of Security Pro, LLC
Education: Community College of the Air Force
Political experience: Appointee on the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commissioner (2009 - present)
JOHN LASTINGER
Profession: Pastor
Education: Midlands Technical College
Political experience: never ran for office
RJ MAY
Profession: Owner of Ivory Tusk Consulting
Education: University of South Caroina and Masters from Tel Aviv University
Political experience: never ran for office
EDDIE MCCAIN
Profession: Retired Army
Education: Bachelors of Science from Liberty University
Political experience: never ran for office
MIKE STURKIE
Profession: General contractor and owner of S&T Grading
Education: Rift Valley Academy in Kenya
Political experience: never ran for office
S.C. House District 96 — Republican primary
RYAN MCCABE
Profession: Partner of McCabe Trotter & Beverly
Political experience: previously ran for S.C. Senate
KIT SPIRES (I)
Profession: Pharmacist and business owner
Education: USC College of Pharmacy
Political experience: S.C. Representative (2007-present)
S.C. Senate District 18 — Republican primary
CHARLES BUMGARDNER
Profession: Dentist
Education: Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, Advanced Degree in General Dentistry from the University of Rochester
Political experience: never ran for office
RONNIE CROMER (I)
Profession: Pharmacist
Education: B.S. in Pharmacy
Political experience: Former Prosperity Town Councilman, S.C. Representative
S.C. Senate District 20 — Republican primary
RANDY DICKEY
Profession: Owner of American Cheer X-treme
Education: Georgia State University
Political experience: Never ran for office
BENJAMIN DUNN
Profession: Partner at Ormond Dunn law firm
Education: Clemson University Bachelor of Science, USC School of LawPolitical experience: Ran against S.C. Sen. Dick Harpootlian in 2018 and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2014.
Political experience: Ran against S.C. Sen. Dick Harpootlian in 2018 and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham in 2014.
S.C. Senate District 22 — Republican primary
LEE BLATT
Profession: Business and Development at Robins & Morton
Education: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Political experience: Never ran for office
DAVID LARSEN
Party: Republican
District: Senate District 22
S.C. Senate District 25 – Republican primary
SHANE MASSEY (I)
Profession: Attorney
Education: Clemson University Bachelor of Arts, USC School of Law
Political experience: S.C Senate (2007-present)
SUSAN SWANSON
Profession: Executive Director of Augusta Care Pregnancy Center
Education: USC Aiken Bachelor of Arts, USC M.Ed
Political experience: Ran for S.C. Senate in 1996 and 2004. Ran for S.C. House in 2010. Served as Aiken County Republican Party Chairman in 2007.
S.C. Senate District 26 — Republican primary
PERRY FINCH
CHRIS SMITH
Profession: Licensed Real Estate Broke and Licensed Residential Builder
Political experience: never ran for office
Richland County sheriff – Democratic primary
LEON LOTT (I)
Profession: Sheriff
Education: University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Arts; Lander University, master’s degree
Political experience: 45 years in law enforcement, including more than three years as police chief of St. Matthews, 24 years as Richland County sheriff
JASON ROBERTS
Profession: Law enforcement officer
Education: High school diploma. Currently enrolled at Liberty University
Political experience: Never held office.
A.V. STRONG
Profession: Retired military, law enforcement officer. Director of a non-profit.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, master’s degree in divinity
Richland County coroner – Democratic primary
NAIDA RUTHERFORD
Profession: Nurse Practitioner
Education: Benedict College, B.S. biology; Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College, ADN nursing; University of South Carolina Upstate, BSN nursing; University of South Carolina, MSN nursing; Emory University Ostomy Care Certification; the Medical University of South Carolina Wound Care Certification
Political experience: never ran for office
GARY WATTS (I)
Profession: Coroner
Education: St. Louis Medical School death investigator program; instructor at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy; South Carolina Coroners Association; and International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners
Political experience: Coroner since 2001
Richland County Council District 2 — Democratic primary
JOYCE DICKERSON (I)
Profession: Retired from the steel industry, small business owner
Education: Savannah Technical College, Midlands Technical College, Benedict College
Political experience: Four terms on Richland County Council, former S.C. House and U.S. Senate candidate
DERREK PUGH
Profession: Former programming supervisor for Richland County Recreation Commission. Current deputy director, SC Youth Challenge Academy
Education: B.A, Interdisciplinary Studies and M.A., Management and Leadership
Political experience: Former vice chair, Board of Zoning and Appeals for the Town of Blythewood. Current commissioner for the Blythewood Planning Commission
Richland County Council District 7 — Democratic primary
GRETCHEN BARRON
Profession: Educator, owner of Purposed Vision Consulting
Education: University of South Carolina
Political experience: Former campaign volunteer
RICHARD BROWN
Profession: auditor for a government agency
Education: Harvard University
Political experience: Active member of the Richland County Coalition of Neighborhoods
GWEN KENNEDY
Kennedy did not respond to multiple requests to fill out The State’s questionnaire.
Richland County Council District 8 — Democratic primary
WAYNE GILBERT
Profession: Retired from S.C. Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, political consultant, owner of Palmetto Realty Services
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of South Carolina; master’s degree, Troy University
Political experience: Ran in District 8 in 2016
HAMILTON GRANT
Profession: President, Grant Business Advisors
Education: Bachelor’s degree, S.C. State University; master’s, Alabama A&M
Political experience: James E. Clyburn Congressional Fellow, S.C. State University trustee, campaign volunteer
OVERTURE WALKER
Profession: Attorney and founder, Stoney & Walker; former Columbia city attorney, city prosecutor and municipal judge
Education: B.A., University of South Carolina; J.D., USC School of Law
Political experience: No elected experience
Richland County Council District 9 — Democratic primary
JONNIEKA FARR
Profession: business analyst
Education: BA in Sociology from State University of New York Potsdam
Political experience: Chair of the Richland Democratic Women’s Council
CALVIN “CHIP” JACKSON (I)
Profession: Retired educator, County Council .
Education: University of South Carolina (Undergraduate and graduate)
Political experience: Currently on Richland County Council. Served two terms on Richland 2 school board.
JERRY REGA
Profession: small business owner
Education: The College of Wooster (undergradaute) and Case Western Reserve University (graduate)
Political experience: never run for office before
ANGELA GARY ADDISON
Addison did not respond to a request to fill out The State’s questionnaire.
Richland County Council District 10 — Democratic primary
JACKIE BUSH
Bush did not respond to a request to fill out The State’s questionnaire.
CHERYL ENGLISH
Profession: Social worker
Education: Coker College (undergraduate), University of South Carolina (graduate)
Political experience: Has never run for office before.
DALHI MYERS (I)
Profession: corporate attorney
Education: Spelman College (Undergraduate), Howard University School of Law
Political experience: Currently serving as the vice chair of the Richland County Council
Lexington County Sheriff — Republican primary
DAVID ARNOLD
Profession: Law enforcement officer
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a master’s in Criminal Justice Administration, a master’s in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and Management, and a doctorate in Criminology.
Political experience: Worked for several elected officials and was a part of their campaigns.
JAY KOON
Profession: Sheriff
Education: Bachelor’s Criminal Justice.
Political experience: Sheriff of Lexington County for past five years
Lexington County Council District 5 — Republican primary
BIMBO JONES
Profession: Tire retailer
Education: High school and technical college
Political experience: Has never run for office
JOEL TYSON
Profession: Business owner
Education: Associate’s degree in business
Political experience: Has never run for office
Lexington County Council District 6 — Republican primary
JOHNNY JEFFCOAT
Profession: retired small business owner
Education: Attended Palmer College majoring in business management
Political experience: Former county council chairman
CHARLI WESSINGER
Profession: Educator, certified beekeeper
Education: Newberry College (undergraduate), Nova Southeastern University (masters)
Political experience: Advocated for rezoning efforts. Never run for office before
This story was originally published June 7, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
