Filing closed on Monday, April 1st at noon, and several people filed to run for office in various elections.
Sheriff
Filing for Sheriff on the Republican ticket was Garrett Byrd, a former state trooper. Filing on the Democratic ticket were James “Hoghead” Campbell, a former detective at the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, and Jamie Hamilton, the incumbent, who ran successfully last year after the untimely death of then Sheriff Douglas Pernell.
Clerk of Court
Filing for Clerk of Court, both on the Democratic ticket, were Marquita Britton and Teneil Price, both political newcomers. Longtime Clerk of Court Gwen T. Hyatt is not seeking re-election.
Coroner
Donnie Grimsley, the current coroner, filed to run as a Democrat. He will be unopposed in both the primary and general elections. There were no other candidates who filed.
Dillon County Council District One
Three candidates filed for the Dillon County Council District One Seat. Filing were Jamal Campbell, the incumbent; James “Bobie” Washington, a current Dillon City Councilman; and Kenya Dray Williams, who is new to the political scene.
Dillon County Council District Two
Two candidates filed for Dillon County Council in District Two-Dennis Townsend, a Republican candidate and the incumbent, and Mark Elliott, a Democratic candidate. They won’t meet on the ballot until the November general election.
Dillon County Council District Three
Three candidates have filed for the Dillon County Council District Three seat and all on the Democratic ticket. Filing were Detrice McCollum Dawkins, the incumbent and current chairwoman of the Dillon County Council; Toni Graves, a community-oriented citizen; and Archie Scott, a former Dillon County Councilman and former council chairman.
Dillon County Council District Four
Two candidates have filed for the Dillon County Council District Four seat and both on the Democratic ticket. T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, the incumbent and longtime public servant, and Brad Coward, a Latta Town Councilman, who is (at the time of filing) currently suspended from office by the Governor of South Carolina.
Solicitor Circuit 4
Longtime Solicitor Will Rogers chose not to seek re-election opening the door for three new candidates, who are seeking this seat.
Filing on the Democratic ticket was Monty Bell. He will face off with either Mike Burch or Shipp Daniel of Dillon, who are both running as Republicans, in November.
State House of Representatives, District 55
Jackie E. Hayes will be unopposed for the State House of Representatives, District 55 seat. Hayes, who filed as a Democrat, has attained a status in the House that has enabled him to bring millions of dollars to Dillon County.
State Senate, District 30
Rodney Berry, the Dillon County Economic Development Director, has filed to run as a Republican against
Kent M. Williams, the longtime Senator, who is running as a Democrat. They will face off in the November general election.
U.S. House of Representatives District 7
Filing for U.S. House were Russell Fry, a Republican and the incumbent, and two Democratic candidates, Mal Hyman and Daryl W. Scott.
Other Elections Of Interest
Here are a few other elections to watch in our area of candidates who have ties to Dillon County.
-Belinda Timmons, a Latta High School graduate and former Dillon County Council Clerk, has filed as a Democratic candidate for State Senate District 31. She will face Mike Reichenbach, the Republican incumbent, in November.
-Kendra McQueen Fling, a Dillon High School graduate, has filed for Marion County Coroner as a Democratic candidate against Jerry Richardson, the Democratic incumbent.
-Tim Harper, the current Dillon County Administrator, has filed for Marion County Council as a Republican candidate against the Democratic incumbent, Don Q. Atkinson, Jr.
