Who is running to represent Lexington County in SC House? Here’s who filed

The entire South Carolina state House is up for election this year, so Lexington County voters will choose who will represent them in the state legislature.

House members vote and propose legislation dealing with how the state spends money, imposes taxes, regulates businesses and many social issues, like immigration and abortion. The lower chamber also helps elect the state’s judges and utility regulators.

Filing for the state House seats closed Monday at noon. 32 candidates filed to run in Lexington County, according to the state election commission’s database. Many are incumbents who already represent the counties at the State House.

The primary is June 9 as candidates look to fill positions that pay $10,400 annually.

Here are the candidates running to represent Lexington County in the statehouse:

Who’s running in Lexington County?

District 39

State Rep. Cal Forrest, R-Saluda, is the incumbent running for reelection. He will face Katie Hall and Fred Taylor in the Republican primary.

Sherman Lott filed as the sole Democratic candidate for the Lexington and Saluda counties district.

District 40

Incumbent state Rep. Joe White, R-Newberry, has one challenger in the Republican primary: Johnathan Ammons. Engle Thompson is the only Democratic challenger this year. District 40 includes Dreher Island.

District 69

Incumbent state Rep. Chris Wooten, R-Lexington, will run against John Allen in the Republican primary.

One Democratic candidate, Emery K Chaplin, filed to run. Allen Broadus, a Libertarian, will also appear on the November ballot.

District 71

State Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Lexington, will face Democratic candidate Julie Zimmerman in November.

District 85

Incumbent state Rep. Jay Kilmartin, R-Lexington, will run against Democratic challenger Steven J. Asbill.

District 87

State Rep. Paula Rawl Calhoon, R-Lexington, is seeking re-election to represent a portion of Lexington County against Democratic candidate Reid Beaman in November.

District 88

State Rep. John Lastinger, R-Lexington, and Brian Duncan are set for a rematch during the June Republican primaries. The two ran for the seat in late 2025 to finish former state Rep. RJ May’s term. Lastinger won both the Republican primary and general election.

Democratic candidate Jeremy Jones also filed.

District 89

State Rep. Micah Caskey, R-Lexington, is running against Democratic challenger Joe Madge in the general election.

District 96

State Rep. Ryan McCabe, R-Lexington, is not running for reelection. Three Republican candidates filed to replace him: Perry Finch, Hunter Hackett and Scotty Whetstone.

Democrat Vivian Elston will be on the Novmber ballot.