Meet the candidates on Lexington County Council’s 2026 primary ballot
Voters have the opportunity to shake up Lexington County Council in June’s Republican primary. Three out of four county council seats are up for grabs.
Councilwoman Beth Carrigg will be attempting to hold onto her seat in the face of small business owner Jason Guerry’s challenge. She has represented District 7 on the council since 2019 – an area which spans the side of Lexington north of the Saluda River around the Lake Murray dam and the St. Andrews area.
Flight Deck restaurant owner and former Lexington Town Council member Ted Stambolitis is seeking to replace incumbent Larry Brigham in District 2 – encompassing the western part of the county including Gilbert, Summit and Batesburg-Leesville.
Returning council member Glen Conwell is running for a third term in District 8 against West Columbia realtor Evelio Duque. That district is located between West Columbia and the northeast corner of Lexington.
The GOP primary will take place June 9. You can check your voter registration status at scvotes.gov. Early voting begins May 26 and ends June 5.
District 2 candidates
Larry Brigham
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired insurance & financial services agent with State Farm
Education: Bachelors Degree Business Marketing USCA
Political or civic experience: Current member of Lexington County Council since 2015
Campaign website: n/a
What are your top three priorities on county council?
Slow residential development by reducing homes allowed to be built per acre.
Support our public safety departments with adequate funding in order to have updated equipment and competitive wages for our Fire, EMS, Sheriff Department.
Protection for our farm lands by increasing buffering restrictions to prevent encroachment by development.
Is Lexington County handling development the right way? What can or should the county do differently?
Managing residential development to allow time for infrastructure and schools to catch up is a top priority.
Should the county consider school capacity in reviewing new housing construction? What other concurrency standards should the county consider?
Absolutely! The safety of our children in schools is paramount. Overcrowded schools are unsafe. I will not vote in favor of a permit request from a developer if the school that serves the area is at capacity. Fire, EMS, Sheriff Department, Solid Waste and schools should be able to handle new development. If not, the building permit should be declined.
How can Lexington County alleviate traffic congestion?
Traffic congestion is a DOT responsibility. As a county representative I will work with DOT for solutions to areas where congestion is a concern.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
Experience matters. I’m a native of the western end of Lexington County. I know my homeland very well. Protecting and preserving the rural area that has farms and natural woodlands is a top priority. Overdevelopment is encroaching on our rural lifestyle and is a threat to our watersheds that provide clean water to our lake. Also, our wildlife is threatened. As a native of the area my heart is in every decision and every vote. I would appreciate your vote on June 9 in the Republican Primary.
Editor’s note: Candidate answers by Ted Stambolitis were written with AI assistance. The candidate was given an opportunity to resubmit answers. Ted Stambolitis
Age: 64
Occupation: Restaurant Owner/ Shopping Center Owner. Work at Flight Deck Restaurant and Shoppes at Flight Deck
Education: Associate Degree in Broadcast Journalism
Political or civic experience: 14 Years on Town of Lexington Council, 2004-2018
Campaign website: www.votestambolitis.com
What are your top three priorities on county council?
My top three priorities on County Council would be:
1. Traffic & Infrastructure Improvements
Traffic congestion has become one of the biggest frustrations for families across Lexington County. I want to focus on improving our most congested corridors, coordinating more aggressively with South Carolina Department of Transportation, improving intersections and traffic flow, and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth instead of constantly falling behind.
2. Responsible Growth & Protecting Quality of Life
Growth is coming, but it must be managed responsibly. I support stronger planning, requiring developments to address their impacts, protecting existing residents from carrying all the costs of growth, and preserving the character of communities throughout Lexington County while balancing economic opportunity and quality of life.
3. Public Safety & Strong Communities
Lexington County benefits from outstanding law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel, teachers, and community organizations. I want to support public safety, maintain low crime, improve community services, and continue making Lexington County a safe and desirable place to live, work, and raise a family.
I believe residents want practical leadership focused on solving problems, planning for the future, and protecting the quality of life that makes Lexington County special.
Is Lexington County handling development the right way? What can or should the county do differently?
Lexington County has experienced tremendous growth over the past several decades, and while that growth has brought jobs, businesses, and economic opportunity, I think many residents would agree that infrastructure has not always kept pace with the speed of development.
I do not believe the answer is to stop all growth, but I do believe the county can and should manage it more responsibly moving forward.
Some areas where I believe improvements are needed include:
• Better coordination between development approvals and infrastructure capacity, especially roads, drainage, utilities, schools, and public safety.
• Stronger traffic planning and requiring developments to help address the traffic impacts they create through road improvements and infrastructure contributions.
• More long-term planning instead of reacting after congestion and overcrowding have already become major problems.
• Protecting the character and quality of life of existing communities while balancing economic growth.
• Preserving green space, improving parks and recreation, and ensuring growth does not come at the expense of every natural area in the county.
• Working more closely with South Carolina Department of Transportation to accelerate road and intersection improvements in rapidly growing areas.
Growth is going to continue in our region, but residents deserve confidence that it is being planned carefully, responsibly, and with the long-term future of Lexington County in mind.
Should the county consider school capacity in reviewing new housing construction? What other concurrency standards should the county consider?
Yes, I believe school capacity should absolutely be part of the conversation when reviewing large new housing developments.
When growth happens faster than schools, roads, utilities, and public services can keep up, existing residents and families feel the impact very quickly through overcrowded classrooms, increased traffic, strained infrastructure, and reduced quality of life.
I believe Lexington County should continue exploring stronger “concurrency” style planning — meaning infrastructure and public services should be evaluated alongside major development approvals to determine whether the area can realistically support the additional growth.
When discussing school capacity, I believe the county should look at the entire educational picture in the community, including public schools, private schools, charter schools, and even the growth of homeschooling, because all of these affect transportation patterns, infrastructure usage, and community planning in different ways.
In addition to school capacity, I believe the county should consider:
• Road and traffic capacity
• Intersection safety and emergency access
• Water and sewer infrastructure
• Stormwater and drainage impacts
• Public safety and EMS response capacity
• Environmental impacts and green space preservation
• Utility capacity and long-term infrastructure costs
• Parks, recreation, and community services
I also believe developments that create major impacts should help contribute toward the infrastructure improvements needed to support that growth, rather than leaving existing taxpayers to absorb all the costs afterward.
Growth is going to continue, but better long-term planning and infrastructure coordination can help ensure Lexington County grows responsibly while protecting the quality of life of the people who already live here.
How can Lexington County alleviate traffic congestion?
Traffic congestion has become one of the biggest quality-of-life issues facing Lexington County, and there is no single quick fix. It will require a combination of long-term planning, infrastructure investment, and smarter growth management.
Some of the steps I believe can help include:
• Prioritizing improvements on our most congested roads and intersections, including corridors like Highway 378, Highway 1, Sunset Boulevard, North Lake Drive, Platt Springs Road, Mineral Springs Road, Old Cherokee Road, and areas around major schools and employment centers.
• Improving traffic flow through better signal timing, turn lanes, intersection redesigns, and safer ingress/egress planning for new developments.
• Coordinating more aggressively with South Carolina Department of Transportation to accelerate road projects and secure additional state transportation funding.
• Requiring developments to help address the traffic impacts they create through road improvements, infrastructure contributions, and stronger traffic studies tied to approvals.
• Improving long-term planning so infrastructure keeps pace with growth instead of constantly reacting years afterward.
• Exploring smarter regional transportation planning, including future connectivity between communities, pedestrian access where practical, and preserving corridors for future infrastructure needs.
• Continuing implementation of the long-term traffic and infrastructure planning efforts that began while I served on Town Council, many of which are already being implemented today.
I believe residents want practical solutions, accountability, and long-term planning so Lexington County can continue growing without sacrificing quality of life.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
Here is a straightforward comparison of the perspectives and priorities being discussed in this race as I understand them:
• Experience
I served on the Town of Lexington Town Council for 14 years and have experience working on issues involving infrastructure, economic development, planning, public safety, and growth management during a period of major expansion in our area.
• Business Background
I have owned and operated local businesses for many years, which has given me firsthand experience with economic development, job creation, budgeting, and the challenges facing both businesses and residents in a growing county.
• Focus Areas
My campaign has focused heavily on traffic congestion, infrastructure, responsible growth, quality of life, and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with development.
• Growth Philosophy
I support responsible growth with stronger infrastructure planning, traffic coordination, and accountability for developments to help address the impacts they create. My position is not anti-growth, but rather growth that is better planned and balanced with community needs.
• Community Perspective
I believe local government should focus on practical solutions, long-term planning, and balancing economic opportunity with protecting the character and quality of life of Lexington County communities.
Voters should review all candidates, ask questions, examine records and priorities, and decide which leadership approach best reflects their own vision for the future of Lexington County.
District 7 candidates
Beth Carrigg
Age: 60
Occupation: Lexington County - County Council District 7
Education: Midland’s Technical College Paralegal Studies and University of SC BA Interdisciplinary Studies
Political or civic experience: Lexington County Clerk of Court 1/2005 - 1/2017
Campaign website: www.votebethcarrigg.com
What are your top three priorities on county council?
Responsible Development - Managed Growth
Economic Development - Job creation, increased tax revenue, Industry diversification brings a better quality of life for all who call Lexington County home.
Balanced Budget without millage (tax) increase while maintaining top tier employees and resources. Lexington County has only had one millage (tax) increase in 10 years.
Is Lexington County handling development the right way? What can or should the county do differently?
We are certainly doing a better job today with more concise developmental standards. Those standards are still evolving as we go through a long, arduous process and ascertain how best to set additional standards in areas that have experienced rapid growth, while still providing a responsible avenue for areas that need and want to grow. Like all quality products, it is a work in progress.
Should the county consider school capacity in reviewing new housing construction? What other concurrency standards should the county consider?
Absolutely! While schools have boards and commissions responsible for all school functions; growth is a function of development and local governments. Prioritizing school capacity is essential to healthy growth, development and a thriving community. Both the school board and local governing bodies should work together to facilitate an open line of communication that includes, discussions on (the very unpopular) act of redistricting, how many neighborhoods are in the pipeline for certain school districts, infrastructure needs and how growth impacts first responders. Responsible growth requires all hands on deck and an open line of communication for success in building a strong, healthy, thriving community.
Other concurrency considerations are first responders, water & sewer, 911 communications, waste management. I think we should add access to quality healthcare; the lack of quality healthcare seriously impacts our response times for EMS and other first responders.
How can Lexington County alleviate traffic congestion?
That is the million-dollar question and a quandary we find ourselves in every day. Location in Lexington has a lot to do with access and traffic patterns. The worst issues by far are in the Lexington proper and the 5-mile radius around the Town of Lexington. We are simply locked into a one way in, one way out system. Road development is a product and function of the SCDOT and not local governments. Local Governments resurface roads and maintain the dirt road system through the County Transportation Committee. Monies for roads in S.C. come from the .01 cent state gas tax and is portioned out across S.C. based on population. Lexington County receives approximately $6M annually for State, Local and dirt roads. We are woefully underfunded. Building new roads and interchanges always starts with SCDOT and is a very long process. County Council implemented a 10-year comprehensive plan June 2022; the first since 1999. The County is also conducting a comprehensive Countywide Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), along with targeted studies on development.
Lexington County is one of the top 5 destinations for people moving to the South and we are responding as quickly and responsibly as possible with the tools at our disposal.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
I have experience and a solid working relationship with all stakeholders (National, State and local) responsible for making decisions on the future and quality of life for the Citizen’s of Lexington County. I have served on every committee, which has provided me the education and tools necessary to move Lexington County forward in a responsible manner. I have been elected to leadership 4 times in 7 years by my peers; 2 years as Vice Chair and 2 years as Chairman of Lexington County Council. I currently serve as the parliamentarian of the Council due to my extensive knowledge regarding our parliamentary procedures; (rules of order) which is crucial for maintaining orderly meetings and deliberative proceedings. Tenure is not always bad; experience is often necessary when action and results impact the greater majority of the 5th largest county in the state of SC. I believe working knowledge, experience and solid relationships across all levels of Government, provides Lexington County real leadership that delivers strong, consistent results necessary for a thriving, results driven lifestyle and well functioning community.
Jason Guerry
Age: 53
Occupation: Own a small remodeling business, Overhead Construction LLC
Education: High school and vocational
Political or civic experience: Won the Republican nomination for SC Senate district 26 back in 2024
Campaign website: www.votejasonguerry.com
What are your top three priorities on county council?
My top three priorities are fixing traffic, slowing down overdevelopment, and improving long-term planning and infrastructure. Residents are frustrated because County Council has approved too much growth without making sure roads and infrastructure can handle it. I also want to protect taxpayers, keep taxes low, and make sure Lexington County remains a great place to raise a family for future generations.
Is Lexington County handling development the right way? What can or should the county do differently?
No. I don’t believe Lexington County is handling development the right way right now. Development has moved too quickly, roads are falling behind, and residents are paying the price every day, sitting in traffic. County Council needs to stop rubber-stamping projects without proper infrastructure planning. We need leaders willing to put infrastructure first and take a more responsible approach to growth moving forward.
Should the county consider school capacity in reviewing new housing construction? What other concurrency standards should the county consider?
School capacity should absolutely be part of the conversation when discussing large developments, but the county also needs to look at the full picture. Too often, these conversations focus only on traditional public school enrollment and ignore charter schools, private and religious schools, homeschooling, online learning, and other education options that many Lexington County families use today. At the same time, school operations and capacity are ultimately school district issues — not County Council issues. County government already has enough problems it needs to focus on, especially traffic, roads, and infrastructure. The county’s responsibility is to ensure that development, infrastructure, and public services are planned responsibly, rather than micromanaging how school districts operate.
How can Lexington County alleviate traffic congestion?
Lexington County can alleviate traffic congestion by finally planning ahead rather than reacting after problems worsen. We need to focus on improving roads and intersections in the areas residents deal with every day, coordinate growth with infrastructure, and stop approving major developments without first ensuring the roads can support them. Traffic has become one of the biggest quality-of-life issues in the county, and residents deserve leaders focused on fixing it.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
Lexington County can alleviate traffic congestion by finally planning ahead rather than reacting after problems worsen. We need to focus on improving roads and intersections in the areas residents deal with every day, coordinate growth with infrastructure, and stop approving major developments without first ensuring the roads can support them. Traffic has become one of the biggest quality-of-life issues in the county, and residents deserve leaders focused on fixing it.
District 8 candidates
Evelio Carlos Duque
Age: 62
Occupation: Realtor, American legion Commander
Education: BS Architectural Engineering Technology, Network Operations Chief, US Army, OSHA Compliance Officer
Political or civic experience: American Legion Commander, US Army, 24 years, and OSHA
Campaign website: n/a
What are your top three priorities on county council?
1. Smart growth and responsible zoning
2. Better roads and less traffic congestion
3. Stronger schools and infrastructure planning
Is Lexington County handling development the right way? What can or should the county do differently?
We must grow, but we must grow smartly. We cannot let development outpace our roads, schools, and public services. Smart growth means planning ahead, making responsible zoning decisions, and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace so we protect our quality of life.
Should the county consider school capacity in reviewing new housing construction? What other concurrency standards should the county consider?
My experience solving complex problems under pressure taught me how to identify risks, coordinate resources, and deliver practical solutions. That same mindset is exactly what we need to address our community’s growth challenges. We must look at flexible school start times, expand roads to ease congestion, build more schools to meet rising demand, and make smarter zoning and development decisions about where and how our community grows. Thoughtful planning in key development areas is essential to protecting quality of life, supporting families, and building infrastructure that keeps pace with growth.
How can Lexington County alleviate traffic congestion?
Lexington County can ease traffic by widening key roads, improving intersections and signal timing, and coordinating growth so infrastructure keeps pace with new development. It should also invest in alternative routes, carpool incentives, better school traffic management, and long-term planning that reduces congestion before it becomes a bigger problem.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent?
I am a planner and developer, and I got my start in construction early in life. I was awarded the Bronze Star for helping reduce IED attacks in Iraq by implementing infrared cameras and other communication technologies. That experience taught me how to solve complex problems, think strategically, and deliver practical solutions under pressure. I believe those same skills equip me to take on our zoning and infrastructure challenges.
Glen Conwell
Did not respond to questionnaire