Candidates enter political races for Charleston, statewide seats

MORNING HEADLINES | Dozens of candidates across the state lined up Monday to formally file their candidacies for a range of public offices, from U.S. Senate and House to statewide constitutional offices, state House and various local seats. The filing period closes at noon March 30.

As of Tuesday morning, at least 73 candidates filed in statewide, congressional or S.C. House offices, according to the S.C. Election Commission.

In Charleston County Statehouse races, these candidates filed Monday:

District 112, Republicans: Joe Bustos (incumbent), Woody Sprouse’
District 116, Democrats: Radia Baxter, David Bell, Clay Middleton

For the First Congressional District stretching from Charleston County to Jasper County, two Republicans filed – County Council member Jenny Honeycutt and state Rep. Mark Smith, and one Democrat, Max Diaz. The field in the Democratic and Republican primaries is expected to be crowded with as many as 15 total candidates in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, who has been campaigning for governor.

The gubernatorial race also is expected to be packed with choices. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-York, became the first Republican to file. Five others are also expected to file, including Mace, Lt. Gov. Pam Evette, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, state Attorney General Alan Wilson and wealthy Isle of Palms businessman Rom Reddy.

Two Democrats have announced their bids for governor – state Rep. Jermaine Johnson of Hopkins and Charleston attorney Mullins McLeod. On Monday, United Citizens Party candidate Michael Addison also filed for governor.

Other candidates who filed:

U.S. Senate: Lindsey Graham (incumbent, R), Pat Hermann (R), Jason Brenkus (Libertarian).
S.C. Attorney General: Stephen Goldfinch (R), David M. Pascoe (R).
S.C. Secretary of State: Mark Hammond, (R).
S.C. Treasurer: Vincent Coe (D).
S.C. Superintendent of Education: Baba Amin Ojuok (United Citizens), Ellen Weaver (R), Sylvia Wright (D.)
S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture: Chris Nelums (United Citizens), Cody Simpson, (R).

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