Republicans dominate Pickens filings

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First, though, voters must decide this June which of 11 candidates will fill those four County Council leadership positions.

Filing closed across the Upstate at noon Tuesday, with 35 partisan positions up for grabs in Anderson and Pickens counties, ranging from sheriff to the state House.

"We are really looking forward to an exciting election process," said Marilyn Bowers, Pickens County registrations and elections director.

In Pickens, state Senate districts 1 and 2 are up for election, and state House districts 3, 4, 5 and 26, Bowers said. County council seats for districts 3, 4, 5, and 6 are up, as well as the sheriff, clerk of court, auditor, treasurer and coroner positions.

No Democrats filed to run for any of the seats, Bowers said.

"We have a small group of excited people, but we're working to encourage people who could step forward and run," said Rick Bailey, the county's Democratic Party chairman. "It's tough when people have commitments already, and to work in running and the expenses of running."

Easley-area county council incumbent Jennifer Willis filed for re-election in District 5, challenged by Joe Carrano. Northern Pickens councilman Jimmy Patten filed to run again in District 3, challenged by Phil Flaugher and Ben Trotter. Incumbent Norman Langston, Central area councilman, filed for re-election and has been challenged by Gregg Farrier and Neil Smith.

Dacusville-area incumbent District 6 Councilman Ron Harrison has been challenged by Phil Pauley and Tom Ponder.

Only two other seats will be contested in the Republican primary — Davey Hiott has challenged state House District 6 incumbent Teddy Trotter, and Rick Clark has challenged incumbent Sheriff David Stone.

"It's an exciting time, with the presidential election coming up," said Bert Campbell, Pickens County Republican Party chair. "And the majority of the county offices are up this time."

To vote in the May 8 primary, residents must be registered to vote by May 8, Bowers said. The Pickens registration office will be open that Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To register, residents must submit a registration form to the elections office. The forms are at local city halls, libraries and Department of Motor Vehicle offices, and can be printed from a link at www.co.pickens.sc.us and mailed to the elections office at 222 McDaniel Ave. B-9, Pickens, 29671.

For more information, call the Pickens County Registration and Elections Office at 898-5948.

Sara Harvey writes about northern Anderson and Pickens counties and can be reached at 295-3440.