2024 voter guide: Primary elections for York, Lancaster, Chester county legislature seats
York, Lancaster and Chester counties have 35 candidates running for 18 state legislature seats. Primary elections will trim seven of those names from the list and decide two seats outright.
The Republican primary winner between Elias Irizarry and Randy Ligon in House District 43, which covers southeastern Rock Hill and eastern Chester County, will take that seat. The same is true for Republicans Michele Branning and Jackie Terribile in House District 66. That district covers Tega Cay and surrounding areas west of I-77. Neither race features a candidate outside the Republican party.
Four more primary contests will advance winners to the Nov. 5 general election. They include:
▪ Republicans Tibi Czentye, Tripp McCoy and Everett Stubbs in Senate District 17. The winner gets Democrat Mike Fanning in the Nov. 5 election. That district includes southeastern Rock Hill, the bottom of Lancaster County’s panhandle and all of Chester and Fairfield counties.
▪ Republicans Allen Blackmon and Penry Gustafson in Senate District 27. Democrat Yokima Cureton awaits the winner this fall. That representative will serve all but the panhandle of Lancaster County, plus most of Kershaw and Chesterfield counties.
▪ House District 26 with Republicans Elizabeth Enns and David Martin. Workers Party candidate Kiral Mace and Democrat Matt Vilardebo will be on the November ballot. The area has Fort Mill between I-77 and Lancaster County.
▪ House District 45 with Republicans Vic Dabney and Brandon Newton looking to advance to a fall vote against Democrat Nicole Ventour. It’s western Lancaster and Kershaw counties, below the Indian Land panhandle.
The Herald reached out to all the primary candidates ahead of the June 11 vote. Here are there responses received by deadline for why voters should choose them. Additional candidate information may be added to this list as others respond.
SC House District 66
Michele Branning
Age: 54
Party affiliation and office you’re seeking
Republican for House District 66
Campaign website or social media page
BranningforHouse.com
Occupation
Realtor & Small Business Owner
Education
Real Estate License NC & SC; Attended Purdue University
Have you run for elected office before?
Yes, Fort Mill School Board Trustee
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
10 Year School Board Trustee, President South Carolina School Boards Association, Rotarian in Fort Mil Rotary Club, Past President FM Rotary (2017-2018), 3 time Rotarian of the Year, United Way Fundraising Campaign Committee, BSA District Fundraising Chair, FMHS MCJROTC Booster President, Treasurer, Chaperone; FMHS Athletic Booster Club Committee Chair (various), FMHS SIC, Founding PTO President Pleasant Knoll Elementary School, Springfield Middle School PTO Hospitality Chair
What are, in your view, the most important issues facing your district, and what would your approach be to handling them if elected?
•Infrastructure–Securing our share of infrastructure funding is imperative to the safety of our community. Roads, Water, Sewer, Greenspace •Education–I will fight to protect our teachers, respect them as professionals & compensate them accordingly •Public Safety–we must fund law enforcement and equip them as well as fund SLED immigration enforcement •Small Business–We need to cut unnecessary regulations and lower taxes on small businesses for our economy to flourish fuller
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
Funding for Pubic Education. While I have no problem with alternate options, it must not come at the expense of public education. We have a constitutional obligation to fully fund education in this state, yet we do not. Diverting funds elsewhere prior to fully funding is a disservice to ALL children in our state. If we are going to divert public funds from public education then it should come with the same requirements as public education has-testing, certified teachers, oversight, etc.
What separates you from your opponent(s) and makes you the best candidate on the ballot?
Experience! Having lived her for 18 years and dedicated myself to the service of our community, in both a volunteer and elected roll, I have a proven track record of getting things done and working with others respectfully for common goals.
SC House District 45
Vic Dabney
Age: 66
Party affiliation and office you’re seeking
Republican, House Dist. 45
Campaign website or social media page
facebook.com/VoteVicDabney
Occupation
CW5 U.S. Army Ret. Apache Helicopter Instructor Pilot
Education
Camden High School-1976, Austin Peay State University- 1987
Have you run for elected office before?
S.C. State Representative (D52) 2021-2022.
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Kershaw County GOP Chairman 2017-2019.
What are, in your view, the most important issues facing your district, and what would your approach be to handling them if elected?
Taxes and regulations. I would like to freeze the state budget for the next three years and begin a reduction of frivolous regulations and requirements on small businesses.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
Yes. I don’t believe the government should be in the business of business. For instance, I am completely against the “Scout Motors” 1.3 billion dollar aid package. It’s not a function of government to take Taxpayer money and pick and choose winners and losers.
What separates you from your opponent(s) and makes you the best candidate on the ballot?
Age and experience. Serving 28 years in the U.S. Army, 47 years of marriage, raising four very successful children, having 21 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren sets me apart from the 29 year old incumbent. I have lived through all the failed social and governmental experiments during the past 60 years and I know what works and what doesn’t.
SC House District 26
Elizabeth Enns
Age: 44
Party affiliation and office you’re seeking
Republican, House Dist. 26
Campaign website or social media page
elizabethenns.com/ FB: Elizabeth Enns For State House
Occupation
Pastor
Education
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Education Degree & Doctorate Degree in Theology
Have you run for elected office before?
Yes, House of Representative seat for District 48
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
President and founder of Patriotic Students of America, President of the Sugar Creek Republican Women, Founder of The Constitution Cafe, Testifying for and against multiple bills at the Statehouse and actively involved in the YCGOP & YC Reaganites, Served as Legislative Chair for the YCGOP for two years and voted in every election that I have been able to.
What are, in your view, the most important issues facing your district, and what would your approach be to handling them if elected?
We are growing rapidly so the need for proportional infrastructure dollars from the State is imperative. I would advocate for the State budget to return to core functions of government instead of financing ‘special interest projects’. Also, our judicial system is in dire need of reforming. I will work with other legislators to pass a meaningful judicial selection reform bill to ensure that we have three equal branches of government.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
No, I am in full agreement with the SC Republican Party Platform.
What separates you from your opponent(s) and makes you the best candidate on the ballot?
I am known in the community as a true conservative and have taken my civic duty to engage politically very seriously. My opponent has not been part of the Republican party or even voted in local elections or a Republican primary before this campaign. As an experienced classroom teacher, I am a full supporter of parental rights including the expansion of school choice. My opponent has publicly stated that he is against school choice.
David Martin
Age: 37
Party affiliation and office you’re seeking
Republican, House Dist. 26
Campaign website or social media page
martinforhouse.com
Occupation
Business Owner
Education
Charlotte School of Law, J.D. (2013). Coastal Carolina University, B.A. (2009)
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Fort Mill Rotary Club, Fort Mill Downtown Co-Op, Colonel’s Club Member, Friend of the Greenway, York County Conservative Club, Fort Mill High School Graduate Class of 2005.
What are, in your view, the most important issues facing your district, and what would your approach be to handling them if elected?
My top three priorities at the State House would be: 1. To help plan and receive funding for infrastructure projects and infrastructure improvements for Fort Mill into the future; 2. Increase salaries and compensation incentives for first responders, law enforcement personnel, and EMS workers so that they can focus on helping and protecting our communities; 3. Increase salaries for teachers and improve technology resources to allow Fort Mill to remain the best public school district in SC.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
I stand steadfast as an advocate for our Fort Mill public schools and will continue to ensure that our tax dollars stay in Fort Mill education system and are not sent to other cities and counties in South Carolina.
What separates you from your opponent(s) and makes you the best candidate on the ballot?
As a third-generation Fort Mill native, I am the only candidate that understands the challenges of our town. My opponent, after losing her Rock Hill State House election in 2022, moved to Fort Mill just over a year ago, bringing the same platform and ideas from Rock Hill. Fort Mill is a unique town with different needs. I own a business here, have a child in our public schools, I have always supported our town, and I understand our community. Fort Mill will always be my home.
SC House District 17
Tripp McCoy
Age: 26
Party affiliation and office you’re seeking
Republican, Senate Dist. 17
Campaign website or social media page
TrippMcCoy.com
Occupation
Owner of Wolf’s Haircuts
Education
Bachelors In Finance from University of South Carolina Columbia
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Sponsoring of local youth sports and participated in repairing of homes for those in need in our communities
What are, in your view, the most important issues facing your district, and what would your approach be to handling them if elected?
Our greatest issue is the South Carolina state budget. South Carolina spends $40 billion per year to maintain our state, so South Carolina is spending about $8,000 per person to fund our budget. We have reckless spending down in Columbia that is caused by some legislators earmarking money in the state budget for personal projects. As the only candidate running with a background in Finance, I have the tools and experience to go down to Columbia and get our budget into shape.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
This question would need to be more specific. There are several varying opinions within the party: some local parties may have slightly different platforms from the state party and vice versa. Without a specific question, this is too broad to narrow down on its own. I am a Republican.
What separates you from your opponent(s) and makes you the best candidate on the ballot?
I am the only person running who has a background in Finance. The number one job of the General Assembly is to manage the state budget. My experience running a business and having a financial background are valuable skills that are lacking in the current makeup of our General Assembly. My financial experience is something that my opponents in this primary just do not have.
Everett B. Stubbs, III
Age: 38
Party affiliation and office you’re seeking
Republican for South Carolina Senate Dist. 17
Campaign website or social media page
VoteStubbs.com
Occupation
Attorney and Businessman
Education
Undergraduate Business Degree and Law Degree
Have you run for elected office before?
No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Deacon at Neely’s Creek ARP Church, Church Youth Basketball and Soccer Coach, Rock Hill Rotary Club Member, former State Chairman of South Carolina Ducks Unlimited, Chester County Ducks Unlimited Co-Chairman, former board member of the Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Chester County Sheriff’s Foundation board member, First Steps of Chester, former president of the Chester Rotary Club.
What are, in your view, the most important issues facing your district, and what would your approach be to handling them if elected?
Public safety/drug concerns, education concerns and infrastructure improvements. First, our communities need to be safe. Working with law enforcement and prosecutors is critical in helping them have the tools and laws necessary to protect our communities including mental health and drug addiction resources. Our school budgets are top heavy and a larger portion needs to go directly to teachers instead of administrative costs. Lastly, we deserve our fair share of state level infrastructure funds.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party on local or state issues? Why?
My personal values align with the Republican Party’s platform.
What separates you from your opponent(s) and makes you the best candidate on the ballot?
In two words, experience and relationships. I have spent 15 years being deeply involved in many aspects of day to day life within Senate District 17 as a private citizen. Whether working through local and state legal issues or through the countless hours I’ve spent in the many civic organizations I’ve been involved in throughout District 17 I have developed lasting relationships with citizens and community leaders that give me a unique passion for this community and state.
