By Stan Welch – In the upcoming Republican primaries on June 12, the winners will face no Democratic opposition in November in the majority of the cases. The only Democrats running against Republicans are Brian Ryan B. Doyle and Cason Gaither, who will run in their primary to see who takes on Republican incumbent U.S.Congressman Jeff Duncan.
The two incumbent S.C. State Senators from the Anderson area both face opposition in the primary. Senior Senator Billy O’Dell, from District Three, faces a political novice, Riley Harvell. Harvell is the son of Anderson County Republican Party Chairman Dan Harvell.
Senator Kevin Bryant, from District Four, faces Don Bowen Jr., the son of State Representative Don Bowen, Sr. The race will also be Bowen, Jr.’s first.
Bowen Sr. faces two opponents in the House race from District Eight, Ted Luckadoo and Jonathan Walker.
In House District Ten, Charles “Hamp” Johnson faces incumbent Joshua Putnam. Johnson fell 78 votes short of defeating Putnam in 2010. Putnam won a special election in 2009 to finish out Dan Cooper’s term, then won a term of his own in 2010.
Incumbent Sheriff John Skipper faces Creed Hashe, former chief deputy under the late David Crenshaw. Incumbent Solicitor Chrissy Adams is unopposed this year.
District Six incumbent County Councilman Ken Waters is opposed by community activist Ann Smith. Smith opposed the construction and demolition(C&D) landfill several years and sought Ron Wilson’s seat in 2010, when Waters was successful in his run for that seat.
In County Council District Seven, long time incumbent Cindy Wilson is unopposed for the first time since winning her seat in 2000.
In Council Districts One and Five, Republican incumbents face opposition. Francis Crowder in District One faces John Benca, whom he defeated in 2010. In District Five, incumbent Tommy Dunn will face Denny Floyd.
Democrats will be on the general election ballot for the County Council seats from Districts One (Jeff Ricketson), Two (Gracie Floyd, unopposed throughout), Three (Joshua Johnson) and Five (Michael Vandiver),
