Election of Legislative Delegation Has Broad Impact on County

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

One June 11, voters will choose who their party’s candidates will be for several seats in the South Carolina Legislature. But the primary, which in South Carolina has historically meant the winner would be victorious in November due to the straight-ticket voting option in the state. S.C. is one of only six states to still offer the option at the polls.

But what is overlooked is the ramifications of who is elected to the Anderson County Legislative Delegation. The delegation recommends to the governor 116 seats to boards and agencies representing various organizations in the county, which bring great influence on daily life in Anderson County.

Here’s a summary of those appointments and the groups they serve:

Anderson County Foster Care Review Board 10B – Five Seats – Four-Year Terms

Anderson County Foster Care Review Board 10C – Five Seats – Four-Year Terms

Anderson County Disabilities and Special Needs Board – Nine Seats – Four-Year Terms

Anderson County Fire Protection Commission – Five Seats Representing School Districts 1-5 – Four-Year Terms

Anderson-Oconee-Pickens Mental Health Center Board – Seven Seats – Four-Year Terms

Pendleton District Historical, Recreational and Tourism Commission – Three Seats – Six-Year Terms

Master-In-Equity – One Seat – Six-Year Term

Renewable Water Resources – One Seat – Four-Year Term

Registration and Election Commission – Five Seats Representing School Districts 1-5 and Two At-Large Seats (Seven Seats Total) – Four-Year Terms

Social Services Board – Five Seats – Three-Year Terms

Tri-County Technical College Board – Three Seats – Three-Year Terms

Big Creek Water & Sewerage District Board – Seven-Seats – Four-Year Terms

Hammond Water District Board – Seven Seats – Four-Year Terms

Powdersville Water District Board – Nine Seats – Four-Year Terms

Sandy Springs Water District Board – Seven Seats – Four-Year Terms

Starr-Iva Water District Board – Six Seats – Four-Year Terms (Seven Seats Total with One Seat Being Appointed by Abbeville County After New Territory Added)

West Anderson Water District Board – Nine Seats – Four-Year Terms

Anderson County First Steps Partnership Board – Six Seats – No Term Limit

Tri-County Technical College’s Board of Visitors – One Seat – Two-Year Term

State Board of Education – One Seat – Four-Year Term alternated with Oconee County

Agriculture Commission of South Carolina – One Seat - Four-Year Term alternated with Oconee County

Veterans Affairs Officer, State Department of Veterans Affairs -One Seat – Two -ear Term

Anderson County Forestry Board, State Forestry Commission – Five Seats – Five-Year Terms

Anderson County Transportation Committee – Seven Seats – Two-Year Term

So, while the focus of most voters is the vote on June 11 is on the candidates and their various promotions and posturing, the number of public servants that will be appointed by the winners of the primary is significant.

Here’s a reminder of who is running to govern Anderson County.

The Anderson County Legislative Delegation has races for the Republican nomination in all but one district. House seats 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 have opposition. Only Rep. Craig Gagnon, who represents Abbeville and part of Anderson, is unopposed. House Dist. 9, which will be vacated in January due to the retirement of long-time Rep. Anne Thayer, is the only open seat, with candidates Blake Sanders, James Galyean and Rick Bradshaw.

Dist. 6 features a battle between incumbent S.C. Rep. April Cromer and Anderson Attorney Kyle White, Dist. 7 between incumbent S.C. Rep. Jay West and Businessman Lee Gilreath, Dist. 8 between incumbent Rep. Don Chapman and Sherry Hodges, and Dist. 10 incumbent Rep. Thomas Beach and Pam Anthony. (Editor’s Note: candidates who did not respond to requests for Observer interviewed are not linked here).

It’s an unusual situation, with three candidates running against incumbents in the same party, something that until recent years was largely considered unseemly by the party. Two of the three contested races feature newcomer candidates backed by the Freedom Caucus – Gilreath and Hodges – while Anthony seeks to unseat Freedom Caucus member Beach. Cromer is also an active member of the caucus.

There’s still time to ask questions of candidates on your ballot concerning their philosophies surrounding the boards and agencies and how they would vet and choose those who will serve the citizens of the county.

Such understanding is critical to being an informed voter.

Early voting is now under way and ends on June 7. Find your sample ballot here.

Greg Wilson