Six run for House District 64 seat

Six candidates, four Democrats and two Republicans, have filed for the vacant South Carolina District 64 seat. The seat became vacant following the death of Cathy Harvin. The primary election will be held on Feb. 15.

The Democratic candidates are Alvin Greene, Kevin Johnson, Dwight Stewart and Bernard Richburg.

The Republican candidates are Derry Beard and Walter “Sonny” Sanders.

Greene won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in the early summer of 2009 despite having almost no money, little campaigning and no website. However, he earned 350,000 (28 percent) of statewide votes in the November General election.

Johnson was not planning to run but said he decided to enter his name after he had numerous requests from citizens.

Johnson’s political experience includes being elected to the Manning City Council in 1994 and elected mayor in 2000. He currently serves as the Manning Mayor.

He is also the president for the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) and is the longest serving president in its history.

Stewart is the current chairman of the Clarendon County Council and has held that position for 10 years following 20 years on the Summerton Town Council.

He said his experience at the municipal and county level makes him a great fit for the seat.

He is the owner of Dwight L. Stewart Jr. and Associates, a forestry consulting and real estate firm.

Beard is running because he is concerned about the state of taxes and schools and wants to make sure that there is equality within the entire county.

He is a graduate of East Clarendon High School and feels that being a local man he can get the job done.

Sanders filed for the Republican primary on Monday and said there are several items he plans to address. There are two issues he plans to address immediately.

He said unemployment in the state and county is steadily increasing and he is eager to find a way to attract industry. He wants to work with the development board and bring in jobs that will help sustain the workforce and help the local economy.

“I think that is one of the first things that we have to be concerned with,” he said.

Sanders has experience working in the state treasurer’s office and being part of a congressional staff. He said he understands what it takes to get things running.

 “I am certainly familiar with the budget process and what goes on there,” he said. “I have a good idea about what goes on in state, federal and county government. I feel like with my abilities and my knowledge of the system, I can go up there and be of immediate assistance.”

Along with decreasing the unemployment, Sanders wants to set aside more money for schools.

Richburg serves on the Clarendon School District 1 School Board and did not return phone calls from the Clarendon Citizenbefore press time.