Six local races head to a primary election — here’s what’s at stake

Before York County voters cast a single ballot in November, they will first have to settle some spirited disagreements within their own parties. Six local races — spread across the State House, County Council, and the Probate Judge bench — have drawn enough candidates within the same party to trigger a primary election.

That means Republican and Democratic primary voters will serve as the first filter, narrowing crowded fields before the general election. In some of these contests, the primary may effectively decide the winner; in others, it sets up a competitive fall matchup. Here is a race-by-race look at every York County local primary worth watching in 2026.

SC HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House District 26 — Republican Primary

Two Republicans are competing to carry their party’s banner in District 26, a York County seat that will see a contested general election no matter who emerges from the primary. The winner will face Democrat Jenny Desch and Workers Party candidate Kiral Mace in the fall, making the Republican nomination the most valuable prize in the district.

Elizabeth Enns and David W. Martin are the two Republicans seeking the nomination. Neither candidate has the luxury of running unopposed — they will need to make their case directly to Republican primary voters before the real work begins.

Republican Primary Candidates

Elizabeth Enns
David W. Martin

House District 47 — Democratic Primary

House District 47 is home to one of the more intriguing Democratic primaries in York County this cycle. Two Democrats, Justin Bennett and Peter Martinez are vying for the chance to take on Republican incumbent Tommy Pope, a well-known figure in York County politics who previously served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Carolina House.

Pope will enter the general election with the advantages of incumbency and name recognition. That makes the Democratic primary here something of a proving ground: whichever candidate survives will need both the enthusiasm and resources to mount a credible challenge in the fall. Both Bennett and Martinez will be working to demonstrate they are best equipped for that fight.

Democratic Primary Candidates

Justin Bennett
Peter Martinez

General election opponent: Tommy Pope (Republican)

House District 49 — Democratic Primary

District 49 features a Democratic-on-Democratic contest between John R. King and Perry Sutton. With no Republican currently filed in the race, the Democratic primary here takes on added weight, the winner is positioned to win the seat outright in November.

King and Sutton will need to distinguish themselves on policy and community ties to win over primary voters. For either candidate, a primary victory would make them the heavy favorite to represent District 49 come January.

Democratic Primary Candidates

John R. King
Perry Sutton

YORK COUNTY COUNCIL

County Council District 3 — Republican Primary (3 Candidates)

The most crowded primary on the York County ballot this cycle is the County Council District 3 Republican race, which features three candidates competing for the GOP nomination: Tommy Adkins, Stephanie Brown, and Brad Sims.

Three-way primaries are notoriously unpredictable. With the Republican vote splitting three ways, any of the candidates could advance with a plurality — or the race could be forced into a runoff if no one clears the required threshold. Expect this contest to be decided by which campaign best mobilizes its base of supporters on primary day.

No Democratic challenger has filed for this seat, meaning the Republican primary winner will be the overwhelming favorite in November.

Republican Primary Candidates

Tommy Adkins
Stephanie Brown
Brad Sims

County Council District 7 — Republican Primary

County Council District 7 sets up a two-way Republican primary between Debi Cloninger and Scott Couchenour. Both candidates are seeking the seat, and their head-to-head contest will be the defining moment of this race, no Democrat has filed for the general election.

With the general election effectively decided by whoever wins the primary, Cloninger and Couchenour are campaigning for the full weight of the district’s representation. Voters in District 7 will want to hear clearly from both candidates on local issues including development, infrastructure, and county services before making their choice.

Republican Primary Candidates

Debi Cloninger
Scott Couchenour

YORK COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE

Probate Judge — Republican Primary

The York County Probate Court handles wills, estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments — making the Probate Judge one of the most consequential local offices that often receives the least attention on the campaign trail. That may change this cycle, with two Republicans squaring off to lead it.

Daniel Harshaw and Anna Miller are both seeking the Republican nomination for Probate Judge. With no Democratic candidate currently in the field, the primary winner is on a clear path to the bench. Voters choosing between Harshaw and Miller should consider each candidate’s legal background, understanding of probate law, and vision for administering the court efficiently and compassionately.

The outcome of this primary will shape how York County residents navigate some of the most sensitive and significant legal moments of their lives — from settling a loved one’s estate to seeking guardianship for a family member who can no longer care for themselves.

Republican Primary Candidates

Daniel Harshaw
Anna Miller

What Primary Voters Should Know

Primary elections in South Carolina are open, meaning registered voters may participate in either the Republican or Democratic primary — but not both. Turnout in local primaries is historically low, which amplifies the influence of every individual vote. In a three-candidate race like County Council District 3, a well-organized campaign can win with a relatively small but motivated group of supporters.

Voters who want to have a say in who represents them at the county and state level would do well to treat the primary as seriously as the general election. In several of these races, particularly District 49 and both County Council contests, the primary is the election.

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