Midlands residents say they will run for SC House

Three Midlands residents have announced plans to run for the State House in 2016.

Republican Bryan Clifton of Lexington, founder of a home construction and remodeling business, says he plans to run for the Irmo-Chapin seat, District 85, held by Republican state Rep. Chip Huggins.

Monica Elkins, a Richland 2 school board trustee and 25-year educator, said she plans to run for the northeast Columbia district seat now held by Democratic state Rep. Mia McLeod, who said Sunday she plans to run for the state Senate. The District 79 seat spans from north of Two Notch Road to Lake Carolina.

Richland County Councilman Jim Manning, a licensed social worker, says he will run as a Democrat for the seat representing the Arcadia and Forest lakes neighborhoods. Democratic state Rep. Beth Bernstein now holds the District 78 seat. She too may run for the state Senate. Manning said he would not see re-election to County Council.

Staff reports