Filing for the partisan races to be contested in June 11 primaries and the Nov. 5 general election ended Monday, and 13 Aiken County races will be contested over the two elections.
On June 11, voters can determine the Republican nominees for Aiken County Council District 4, Aiken County sheriff, S.C. House District 81 and the Second Congressional District.
Voters casting Democratic primary ballots can help determine the nominee in S.C. House District 82, S.C. Senate District 40 and the Second Congressional District on June 11.
On Nov. 5, voters will face choices in Aiken County Council District 8, Aiken County sheriff, S.C. House District 81, S.C. House District 82, S.C. Senate District 24, S.C. Senate District 40 and the Second Congressional District.
Aiken County Council District 4
Landon Ball and Gene Helmich will face off for the Republican nomination in District 4.
Aiken County Council District 4 includes most of North Augusta. The seat was held by Kelley Mobley, but he announced on social media March 16 that he was not seeking reelection.
No Democrats filed to run for the seat, so the winner of the Republican nomination will not face an opponent in November.
Aiken County sheriff
Stuart Prettel, Marty Sawyer and Ed Wilson are the candidates for the Republican nomination.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face Democrat Lucas Grant on Nov. 5.
S.C. House District 81
Four candidates — Charlie Hartz, Betsy Lamb, John Lewis and MacKenzie "Mack" Morris — are seeking the Republican nomination.
House District 81 includes most of the Southside of Aiken. Bart Blackwell said earlier this month that he wouldn't seek another term.
The Republican nominee will face Democrat Jensen Jennings on Nov. 5.
The district is considered safely Republican.
S.C. House District 82
Democratic incumbent Bill Clyburn will face Brian "Ryan B" Doyle for the Democratic nomination.
The district includes most of Aiken's Northside, part of northern Aiken County, northern Edgefield County and southern Saluda County.
The Democratic nominee will face Republican Suzy Spurgeon Nov. 5.
The district is considered competitive, meaning the margins are projected to be within 10%.
Second Congressional District
Republican incumbent Joe Wilson faces Hamp Redmond for the Republican nomination.
David Robinson and Daniel Shrief are seeking the Democratic nomination.
The Second Congressional District includes Aiken and Barnwell counties, along with most of the Columbia suburbs.
The nominees will face off Nov. 5.
The Cook Political Report rates the district as safely Republican.
S.C. Senate District 40
Incumbent Brad Hutto of Orangeburg will face Kendrick Brown of Bamberg County for the Democratic nomination.
District 40 includes eastern Aiken County, all of Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties and parts of Orangeburg and Colleton counties.
The winner of the Democratic nomination will face Republican Sharon Carter of Bamberg County in the Nov. 5 general election.
Senate District 40 is considered safely Democratic.
Aiken County Council District 8
On Nov. 5, Democratic incumbent P.K. Hightower will face Republican James Hankinson in a rematch of an Oct. 17, 2023 special election.
Aiken County Council District 8 includes most of the Northside and Eastside of the city of Aiken.
Hightower won the special election by a margin of 55.68% to 44.32%.
Hightower's husband, Willar, retired to create the need for a special election.
S.C. Senate District 24
Republican incumbent Tom Young Jr. will face off against Democrat Dee Elder on Nov. 5.
Senate District 24 includes most of Aiken County except some of the Midland Valley area.
The seat is considered safely Republican.
Unopposed candidates
No one filed to run against the following incumbents:
• Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker;
• Aiken County Councilman Danny Feagin in District 3;
• Aiken County Council Vice Chairman Andrew Siders in District 7;
• Aiken County Auditor Charles Barton;
• Aiken County Clerk of Court Robert Harte;
• Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables;
• Aiken County Probate Judge Tonya Marchant;
• Aiken County Treasurer Jason Goings;
• Second Judicial Circuit Solicitor Bill Weeks;
• S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor; and
• S.C. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.
• Julie Stutts, who was appointed Aiken County register of deeds in January, is unopposed in her effort to be elected to the office.
