Several incumbents that represent parts of Florence County are facing challengers in the June 10 Democratic primary.
Sen. Yancey McGill faces two opponents: Ted Brown and Larry Alston.
Sen. Kent Williams faces challenger Larry Graves.
Rep. Robert Q. Williams faces two opponents: Richard H. “Butch” Hodges and Gabriella “Dottie” Mack White.
McGill and Brown both came to the Morning News to make cases for their candidacy. Alston did not.
Brown has previous experience in the S. C. House and pushes the need for better education and jobs.
We don’t think, however, Brown has made that strong a case to replace McGill, who has leadership in the Senate, work in economic development and has continued work to improve his district.
Williams, who declined to be interviewed, is completing his first term. During that time it’s hard to find anything specific that he has done to improve his district.
So voters need to decide whether they want a new senator or stay with Williams.
Graves, who has experience dealing with the Legislature as past president of the S.C. Magistrates Association, makes a strong case for himself.
While not pushing complete merger of the districts, he did say he would like to look at combining administrative functions of the remaining school districts in Marion County.
Hodges, who was formerly on the school board in Timmonsville, is also in favor of exploring options for how to deal with Florence County’s many school districts.
Those are pretty bold moves even to bring up, but it certainly means these men aren’t opposed to considering changes to the status quo if it will improve things. That’s a positive.
White pushed trying to use teamwork and getting input from a diverse group to improve the district.
But the biggest disappointment among most of the candidates is they did not talk about specific issues they will face as legislators such as financing education and health care and what their positions would be on other statewide issues.
They mostly talked in generalities about improving their district.
McGill certainly understands the need to improve his district but also the challenges legislators must face.
All who came to make a case for their candidacy have a genuine desire to serve. That was encouraging.
Now it’s up to the voters.
Editor’s note: The Morning News editorial board interviewed candidates and is making endorsements in contested primary races where there is no November opposition. Races include candidates who represent all or parts of Florence and Darlington counties.
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