Who’s Running: York and Lancaster County Filings

A comprehensive look at contested primaries and general election matchups

South Carolina’s 2026 election cycle is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with voters in York and Lancaster counties poised to weigh in on contests ranging from their local county council seats all the way up to the United States Senate. Filing deadlines have passed, and the field is now set revealing several heated Republican primaries, head-to-head general election matchups, and a handful of offices where candidates will face competition in both the primary and the general.

Races marked with a star (★) feature either a contested primary within a party or a full general election matchup between parties, the contests most likely to be decided by voter turnout.

STATEWIDE RACES

South Carolina voters will decide a full slate of constitutional offices in November, with several races featuring competitive Republican primaries before heading into general election battles.

U.S. Senate

Incumbent U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham is seeking another term, but faces a crowded Republican primary field. On the Democratic side, the party has multiple candidates competing for the nomination. The eventual nominees will meet in the general election this fall.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Lindsey Graham (Republican)
• Calvin Cowen (Republican)
• Paul Dans (Republican)
• Thomas Keith Dismukes (Republican)
• Pat Herrmann (Republican)
• Mark Lynch (Republican)
• Darius L. Mitchell (Republican)

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Annie Andrews (Democratic)
• Brandon P. Brown (Democratic)
• Kyle Freeman (Democratic)

Also filed:

• Jason Elliot Brenkus (Libertarian)
• Kasie Whitener (Libertarian)
• Mark Hackett (Constitution)

U.S. House of Representatives — District 5

Congressional District 5 spans a wide swath of the Upstate and Midlands, including both York and Lancaster counties. Republicans have one candidate in Wes Climer, while two Democrats — Andrew Clough and Mallory Dittmer — are competing for their party’s nomination. A Forward Party candidate has also filed, setting up a multi-candidate general election.

Republican:

• Wes Climer (Republican)

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Andrew Clough (Democratic)
• Mallory Dittmer (Democratic)

Also filed:

• Andy Kaplan (Forward Party)

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

The governor’s race is among the most crowded in the state, with seven Republicans vying to secure their party’s nomination. York County’s own Ralph Norman, the former U.S. Congressman, is among the field. Democrats have three candidates competing for their nomination. The race will feature a robust general election regardless of who emerges from the primaries.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Jacqueline Hicks DuBose (Republican)
• Pamela Evette (Republican)
• Joshua Kimbrell (Republican)
• Nancy Mace (Republican)
• Ralph W. Norman (Republican)
• Rom Reddy (Republican)
• Alan Wilson (Republican)

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Jermaine Johnson (Democratic)
• Mullins McLeod (Democratic)
• Billy Webster (Democratic)

Also filed:

• Michael Addison / Candace Brewer (United Citizens)
• Walid Hakim (Green)
• Gary Votour (Workers)

Secretary of State

Incumbent Republican Mark Hammond faces the general election, while Democrats Jason Belton and Edwina Winter are competing in a primary for the right to challenge him. This race features both a Democratic primary and a general election matchup.

Republican: ★ 

• Mark Hammond (Republican)

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Jason Belton (Democratic)
• Edwina Winter (Democratic)

State Treasurer

Incumbent Republican Curtis Loftis is running for another term and will face a Democratic challenger in the general election. Democrats Trav Robertson Jr. and Vincent Coe are competing in a primary; note that Bruce K. Cole filed but withdrew before the primary.

Republican: ★ 

• Curtis Loftis (Republican)

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Vincent Coe (Democratic)
• Trav Robertson Jr. (Democratic)
• Bruce K. Cole (Democratic) (Withdrew before primary)

Attorney General

Three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination for Attorney General, while one Democrat has filed. The Republican primary is the key battleground; the winner will face Democrat Richard Hricik in November.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Stephen Goldfinch (Republican)
• David M. Pascoe (Republican)
• David Stumbo (Republican)

Democratic:

• Richard Hricik (Democratic)

Comptroller General

Republican Mike Burkhold and Democrats Tiffany Boozer and Bruce K. Cole have filed for this office. With one Republican and two Democrats, expect a contested Democratic primary followed by a general election matchup.

Republican:

• Mike Burkhold (Republican)

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Tiffany Boozer (Democratic)
• Bruce K. Cole (Democratic)

State Superintendent of Education

Incumbent Republican Ellen Weaver seeks re-election and will face a Democratic opponent in November. Three candidates — Lisa Ellis, Sylvia Wright, and one from the United Citizens party — are competing for the chance to take her on.

Republican: ★ 

• Ellen Weaver (Republican)

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Lisa Ellis (Democratic)
• Sylvia Wright (Democratic)

Also filed:

• Baba Amin Ojuok (United Citizens)

Commissioner of Agriculture

The Agriculture Commissioner race is one of the most crowded on the statewide ballot. Three Republicans, Danny Ford, Cody Simpson, and Fred West face a primary, while Democrat DeShawn Blanding will face the Republican nominee in November. Two third-party candidates have also filed, ensuring a lively general election field.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Danny Ford (Republican)
• Cody Simpson (Republican)
• Fred West (Republican)

Democratic:

• DeShawn Blanding (Democratic)

Also filed:

• Chris Nelums (United Citizens)
• Michael Sullens (Libertarian)

YORK COUNTY RACES

York County voters will see some of the most competitive legislative races in the region this cycle, particularly in state House districts where multiple Republicans or multiple Democrats are squaring off before the November general election.

SC House of Representatives

District 26

District 26 features a contested Republican primary alongside a Democrat and a Workers Party candidate in the general, making it one of the most closely watched legislative contests in York County.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Elizabeth Enns (Republican)
• David W. Martin (Republican)

General Election opponents:

• Jenny Desch (Democratic)
• Kiral Mace (Workers)

District 43 (Chester/York)

District 43 spans both Chester and York counties and features a lone Democrat on the ballot.

• Alex Clark (Democratic)

District 46

District 46 is a clean head-to-head general election matchup between a Democrat and a Republican — no primary on either side.

General Election Matchup: ★ 

• Omar L. McCrorey (Democratic)
• Heath Sessions (Republican)

District 47

Two Democrats are competing in a primary in District 47 to take on Republican incumbent Tommy Pope, a longtime York County figure and current Speaker Pro Tem. This is a primary race with a general election opponent waiting.

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• Justin Bennett (Democratic)
• Peter Martinez (Democratic)

Republican:

• Tommy Pope (Republican)

District 48

District 48 is a straight general election contest between Republican Brandon Guffey and Democrat Rustin Terry.

General Election Matchup: ★ 

• Brandon Guffey (Republican)
• Rustin Terry (Democratic)

District 49

District 49 has two Democrats competing in a primary with no Republican challenger filed, meaning the Democratic primary winner will run unopposed in November.

Democratic Primary: ★ 

• John R. King (Democratic)
• Perry Sutton (Democratic)

District 66

District 66 sets up a general election battle between Democrat Heather Hart and Republican Jackie Terribile.

General Election Matchup: ★ 

• Heather Hart (Democratic)
• Jackie Terribile (Republican)

York County Council

District 3

District 3 is the most competitive council race in York County this cycle, with three Republicans battling in a primary. The winner will run unopposed in the general election.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Tommy Adkins (Republican)
• Stephanie Brown (Republican)
• Brad Sims (Republican)

District 4

Only one candidate has filed for District 4, giving Democrat William ‘Bump’ Roddey a potential uncontested path to victory.

• William ‘Bump’ Roddey (Democratic)

District 7

District 7 features a two-way Republican primary between Debi Cloninger and Scott Couchenour. The winner will run unopposed in the general election.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Debi Cloninger (Republican)
• Scott Couchenour (Republican)

York County Probate Judge

The Probate Judge seat in York County has drawn two Republican candidates, setting up an intraparty primary to determine who fills this important judicial role.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Daniel Harshaw (Republican)
• Anna Miller (Republican)

LANCASTER COUNTY RACES

Lancaster County’s ballot features competitive races at the state House level and a mix of contested and uncontested county offices. The county’s growing population has made several districts increasingly competitive across party lines.

SC House of Representatives

District 44

District 44 is one of the marquee races in Lancaster County, with a contested Republican primary and a Democrat ready for the general election — setting up a rare three-way dynamic where both a primary and a general election contest are in play.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Tripp McCoy (Republican)
• Mike Neese (Republican)

General Election opponent:

• Katie Crosby (Democratic)

District 45 (Kershaw/Lancaster)

District 45 crosses county lines into Kershaw and features two Republicans in a primary, including incumbent Brandon Newton while Democrat Nicole Ventour awaits in the general election.

Republican Primary: ★ 

• Brandon Newton (Republican)
• Russell Brazell (Republican)

General Election opponent:

• Nicole Ventour (Democratic)

District 65 (Multi-county)

District 65 spans Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw, and Lancaster counties, with Republican Cody T. Mitchell and Democrat Tanisha Baskin set for a general election showdown.

General Election Matchup: ★ 

• Cody T. Mitchell (Republican)
• Tanisha Baskin (Democratic)

District 29 (Cherokee/Spartanburg/York)

District 29 stretches from York into Cherokee and Spartanburg counties, with Republican Dennis Moss and Democrat Marina Franco facing off in a general election matchup.

General Election Matchup: ★ 

• Dennis Moss (Republican)
• Marina Franco (Democratic)

Lancaster County Council

District 2

Democrat Charlene McGriff is the only candidate who has filed for this seat.

• Charlene McGriff (Democratic)

District 4

Republican Jose Luis is the only candidate who has filed for this seat.

• Jose Luis (Republican)

District 6

Republican Bryant Neal is the only candidate who has filed for this seat.

• Bryant Neal (Republican)

Lancaster County Probate Judge

Only one candidate, Republican Mary Rathel has filed for Probate Judge in Lancaster County, giving her a likely uncontested path to the bench.

• Mary Rathel (Republican)

Solicitor — 6th Circuit (Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster)

The 6th Circuit Solicitor’s race, which covers Lancaster along with Chester and Fairfield counties, has one candidate on file: Republican Randy E. Newman Jr.

• Randy E. Newman Jr. (Republican)

What to Watch

The most consequential races to watch leading up to the primary will be the Republican gubernatorial contest,  a six-way fight that includes York County’s own Ralph Norman and the York County District 26 House race, where an intraparty Republican primary will help determine the general election outcome. In Lancaster County, House Districts 44 and 45 both feature Republican primaries with Democratic opponents waiting, making voter engagement in both phases critical.

Statewide, the U.S. Senate race tops the ticket with Lindsey Graham navigating a seven-candidate Republican field, while the Attorney General and Commissioner of Agriculture offices both feature three-way Republican primaries with Democratic challengers guaranteed in November.

Candidate filing information is provided by the South Carolina Election Commission. Voters are encouraged to verify their registration and polling location ahead of primary day.