FILING, PRIMARY, ELECTION DATES SCHEDULED …
The death of S.C. Rep. Joe Neal of Hopkins, S.C. means the already cash-strapped S.C. Election Commission (SCEC) will be required by law to hold yet another special election.
For the last quarter of a century, Neal represented S.C. House district 70 (map), which encompasses parts of Richland and Sumter counties. His death means the seat is now vacant, though, and must be filled prior to the expiration of his current term.
According to the SCEC, filing for this seat will officially open at noon on March 3 and close at noon on March 13. Partisan primary elections will be held on May 2 with any necessary runoffs scheduled for May 16. The special election itself will be held on June 20.
Given that this seat is staunchly Democratic (and sixty percent of its voting age population is black), we don’t expect any GOP candidates to file for it – and we have no word yet on which Democrats might run.
Stay tuned.
In the meantime, Neal’s family, friends and colleagues remain in our thoughts and prayers.
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