Full race for House 98 seat

  • Bo Petersen
  • Posted: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, March 23, 2012 11:22 a.m.
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SUMMERVILLE -- Two Republicans with similar positions and two Democrats with similar priorities will face off in primaries for their parties' nominations to the S.C. House 98 seat held for 10 terms by Rep. Annette Young.

The pitched battles make the seat maybe the hottest fight this year in Dorchester County politics. The district is considered heavily Republican, and it's unusual for Democrats to compete for the nomination.

The Republicans are both Dorchester County Council members. Attorney Chris Murphy, who filed earlier this week, will oppose Larry Hargett, who filed earlier. Young announced March 23 she will step down.

Builder Steve Yeomans, the county Democratic Party chairman, also has filed for the seat, pitting him against policy analyst Christine Jackson, who filed earlier.

In other filing news, Matthew Creel, a former Natchez Kusso Edisto tribal chief, has filed to run against incumbent Kenny Waggoner for the Democratic nomination to the County Council District 3 seat. Former state Rep. George Bailey has filed for the Republican nomination to the seat.

Murphy agreed that he and Hargett had similar political positions. Hargett is his friend, he said, and the race "isn't Chris Murphy versus Larry Hargett. What sets Larry and I apart is that in order to get anything done in the Statehouse, you have to build up seniority. I'm in this thing for the long haul."

He said the candor he has shown on council is what people expect in the race. "I've made tough choices to benefit the citizens of Dorchester County. When I tell you I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it."

Yeomans said he wants to improve communications with constituents in the district, send e-mail updates and hold open-door meetings, and work for job creation. Jackson also said improving communication was a priority; Yeomans said his party experience makes him a good candidate.

"The district has been poorly represented for the last 20 years. I'm tired of the state Legislature being a laughingstock," he said. "Good government is needed."

Reach Bo Petersen at 937-5744 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.