A Republican battle for Becky Richardson's vacated House District 48 seat shaped up Tuesday as candidate filing for area counties ended at noon.

Three contenders -- a lawyer, developer, and well-known politician -- are seeking the seat, which serves the fast-growing area near the North Carolina border.

After 14 years in the seat, the Republican Richardson plans to leave the office in July to accept a position on the state's Employment Security Commission. Voters will decide the winner of the house race during the June 8 primary, because there are no Democrats running.

Central issues to the area include economic development, education funding and road improvements to accommodate the influx of new residents.

"Every time you turn around, there's a new development going up," Richardson said. The incumbent said she hadn't decided which candidate to endorse.

Rock Hill developer Ralph Norman of the Warren Norman Co. was the first candidate to announce his run. This would be the first elected office for Norman, 50, who is a native of the area.

"Business people ought to be involved in politics," Norman said, adding that many legislators are either full-time politicians, retired or attorneys. Norman develops residential and commercial property.

"It's people like me who have not gotten involved and are the reason this country is in trouble," he said.

Real estate attorney Michael Johnson, 33, filed Monday , saying improving the schools for his two small children was a key reason for joining the race. Johnson, who lives in Fort Mill, said he also wants to make sure Tega Cay and Fort Mill have controlled growth.

"This is the opportunity to shape this district not only for the next few years but for the decades to come," Johnson said.

Former York County council member Peggy Upchurch, who lives in Tega Cay, has joined the race after being absent from the political scene for a decade. Upchurch was the first Republican and first woman elected to York County council.

"I have always felt passionate about our government and how much it affects the citizens," said Upchurch, 57, who added that she thinks S.C. leaders need help with the state budget.

Voters will have weeks to listen to each of the candidates before they vote in June. Most of the York County offices have no or little opposition. Incumbent council members Perry Johnston, of Clover, faces two opponents and incumbent Ada Chisolm-Perry faces one.

The northern area of the county, where Johnston's constituency lives, may be spurring more competition because there are new people moving into the area, said York County Republican Chair Henry Eldridge said.

Lancaster County

In Lancaster County, several races are competitive. Incumbent county council member Stanley Smith has filed for two seats -- his own, and the one now held by S.C. Rep. Eldridge Emory, said Lancaster County Republican Party Chairman Al Simpson.

Smith will face fights for both spots. Not only is Emory seeking re-election, but two Republicans and a Democrat signed up to challenge Smith for his council seat.

Simpson said Tuesday that he checked with the state election commission and it is legal for Smith to seek both the council and House seats. But the state constitution prohibits him from holding two offices at once.

"If he won, he would have to make a choice," Simpson said.

Further south, in Chester County, the most contested race will be for the sheriff's seat. Four candidates, including one who filed while serving National Guard duty in Iraq, are competing for the office. -- STAFF WRITER HEATHER VOGELL CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT

-- SARAH JANE TRIBBLE: (803) 327-85-7; STRIBBLE@CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM