Several locals file for large political seats for 2022 elections

By HEATHER RUPPE

Filing is open for several key elected seats that directly impact Colleton residents and the number of candidates seeking to sit in those seats is increasing.
Filing opened on March 16th for many state, regional, and local seats, including the U.S. House of Representatives and Colleton County Council seats. Filing closes at noon on March 30th.
There is one local candidate who has filed thus far for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the S.C. House of Representatives.
Duke Buckner (R-Walterboro) is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 06. This district includes Allendale, Bamberg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Florence, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg counties.
There are three Democrats running against Buckner for this congressional seat: Michael Addison from Orangeburg, Greg M. Dixon from Ridgeland and longtime incumbent James “Jim” Clyburn, also from Orangeburg.
Timothy Swain is another Walterboro resident who has filed to run for a large political seat. Swain, a Republican, is a candidate for the State House of Representatives District 121, which represents Colleton and Beaufort counties. Swain is the only candidate to file thus far.
Shedron Hook Williams is a Democrat from Hampton who is running the State House of Representatives, District 122. This seat represents Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties.
For the State House of Representatives District 97 seat, the candidates thus far are: Candace Jennings, a Republican from Summerville; ReZsaun Lewis, a Democrat from Summerville; and Robby Robbins, a Republican from Summerville. No local residents have filed for this seat.

State House of Representatives District 116 (Colleton and Charleston counties) are Chardale Murray, a Democrat from Hollywood; Matthew Leber, a Republican from Charleston; and Dixie Button, a Republican from Charleston.
State House of Representatives District 122 (Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties) are Shedron H. Williams, a Democrat from Hampton.

County openings
Colleton County Probate Judge has one candidate thus far - Ceth Utsey.
The Colleton County Auditor position has one candidate so far - Jeffrey Slocum.
The County Treasurer has one candidate so far - Becky S. Hill
Those filing for the At-Large Seat on Colleton County Council are: Maryann Blake, a Democrat; Bubba Trippe, a Republican; Josh Westbury, a Republican. Longtime At-Large Incumbent Gene Whetsell is not filing to run again for this seat.
Colleton County Council incumbents Art Williams and Steve Murdaugh are the only ones to file for their respective seats on Colleton County Council: Williams sits on District 23 for council and Murdaugh sits on the District 45 seat on council. There are no opposing candidates for Williams and Murdaugh, as of press deadline.
Additional state seats are also open, including the Governor of South Carolina. This newspaper will report on these candidates when filing is complete.