Exciting Times Ahead in South Carolina as 2024 Election Day Approaches!

Greetings from the bustling city of Charlotte! As November 5 approaches, many folks in our area are gearing up for an important day—Election Day! This year, every single one of the 124 seats in the South Carolina House of Representatives is up for grabs. With various candidates throwing their hats in the ring, it’s shaping up to be a thrilling race! Let’s take a closer look at the state House district contests right around the Charlotte area to keep you in the loop.

District 26: A Change in Leadership

First up, we have the 26th district, which encompasses parts of York County. Here, the current representative is Republican R. Raye Felder, who has served since 2012. However, Felder has decided not to seek re-election in 2024, making way for fresh faces. The candidates vying for this coveted seat include Matt Vilardebo from the Democratic side and David Martin representing the Republicans. It’ll be interesting to see who can win the hearts of the voters!

District 42: Incumbent vs. Challenger

Next, let’s talk about the 42nd district that covers Union County and a slice of Laurens County. Here, incumbent Republican Doug Gilliam, who took office in 2018, is running for re-election. Gilliam will be up against Democrat David Gossett, adding some competition to this district that residents will want to keep an eye on.

District 43: No Competition Here

In the 43rd district, which spans parts of Chester and York counties, incumbent Randy Ligon, a Republican who came into office in 2018, is running for re-election—this time without any challengers! That’s right, folks! Ligon’s uncontested status means constituents will be seeing more of him without the drama of a race.

District 44: A Face-Off for Lancaster County

Switching gears to the 44th district, which gestures towards parts of Lancaster County. Here, Republican Mike Neese, who took office just last year, will be seeking another term. But he isn’t the only one trying to win over the voters; Democrat Kate Crosby is throwing her name into the mix as well. This race is sure to be one to watch!

District 45: Competitive Yet Again

Let’s not overlook the 45th district, covering parts of Lancaster and Kershaw counties. Republican Brandon Newton has held the seat since 2016 and will be looking to maintain it against Democrat Nicole Ventour. The voters here have some choices to make for sure!

District 46: Another Contestant

Moving on to the 46th district, set in part of York County. Currently, Republican Heath Sessions, who took office in 2022, is running again. He is set to face off against Democrat John Zabel, bringing some excitement to the race!

District 53: An Established Race

Over in the 53rd district, which stretches across a sizable chunk of Chesterfield County and parts of Lancaster and Darlington counties, Republican Richie Yow is hoping for continued support after taking office in 2014. However, he must win against Democrat Bruce Wallace, a challenge that will surely keep everyone on their toes!

District 54: A Changing of the Guard

Lastly, let’s discuss the 54th district, which consists largely of Marlboro County and parts of Chesterfield, Darlington, and Dillon counties. Current Democratic representative Patricia Henegan, who has held her seat since 2014, is not running for re-election. This opens the door for Democrat Jason Luck and Republican Sterling McDiarmid, who both aim to make their mark in this district.

With such a wide array of candidates and tight races, it’s definitely going to be an exhilarating week leading up to Election Day on November 5! Residents are encouraged to educate themselves about the candidates and be prepared to cast their votes. Stay tuned for updates as results are reported after the polls close. Your voice matters—make it count!