Horry County Democrats are unlikely to find a replacement for state House candidate Patricia Ferguson-Majors, who withdrew Wednesday.

If not, that means that Republican candidate Nelson Hardwick will be elected without opposition.

Greg McCollum, Horry County Democratic Party chairman, said it is unfortunate that the health of a family member forced Ferguson-Majors to pull out of the District 106 race.

Ferguson-Majors, an attorney who ran for the same district two years ago and garnered 40 percent of the vote, could not be reached.

"I'm pleased, but I hate it for Mrs. Ferguson-Majors that she has a problem that would cause her to pull out," Hardwick said.

He plans to continue to campaign anyway, he said. "I still plan on speaking to some groups and getting out and meeting the people."

McCollum said candidates may withdraw for any reason, but that state regulations control whether the party may replace the candidate.

He believes Ferguson-Majors could be replaced but doesn't know by whom. The ballots are close to being printed, and if someone came forward they might not have their name on the ballot, McCollum said.

It would also be difficult for a candidate to build a campaign.

"It's asking a lot for somebody to step into a race with eight weeks to go," he said.

But the party would take the steps needed to nominate someone who asked to run for the seat, McCollum said.

He did not think Ferguson-Majors' involvement as the attorney for her husband, Ned Majors, in a case the state brought against his company, figured into her withdrawal.

Ned Majors owns Tax Lien Agents, a company that buys property around the country that is up for public sale for taxes owed. His company buys it for people who want to own it as an investment.

Attorney General Henry McMaster says the operation violates state securities laws and sued to stop it. Majors countersued. The state's case was tried in July, and a ruling has not been made.