Rep. Bernstein announces she won’t run for Lourie’s vacated Senate seat
State Rep. Beth Bernstein, D-Richland, said Tuesday she will not run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland.
Lourie announced earlier this month that after he finishes his 18th year in the S.C. Legislature next year, he will not seek re-election for his northeast Richland seat.
Bernstein, who represents the Arcadia Lakes and parts of Forest Acres neighborhoods, cited her appointments to the S.C. House Ethics and Judiciary committees as reasons for staying in the S.C. House.
State Rep. Mia McLeod, D-Richland, announced her intention to run for Lourie’s seat less than a day after his announcement.
Bernstein said in her release: “Although, I personally needed time to study and determine if filing for Senate District 22 would be the best decision for my family and me and the community that I love and cherish.”
Richland County Councilman Jim Manning, a licensed social worker, said he plans to run as a Democrat for Bernstein’s House seat. Manning said he would not seek re-election to County Council.
Reach Cope at (803) 771-8657.
This story was originally published August 11, 2015 at 2:52 PM.