Democrats Rush to File

Update: 3:04 p.m.: Anthony "Mark" Whisenant, a former Charleston County Sheriff's Office Deputy and a Chief Warrant Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard has filed to challenge Sheriff Al Cannon in the Charleston County Sheriff race.

Posted at 1:19 p.m.: Charleston County Councilwoman Colleen Condon was the first to register as a candidate when filing for the coming county and statewide offices opened at noon Friday.

Joining Condon early Friday afternoon were Carol Tempel who is running for State House District 115 which covers James Island, Folly Beach, Seabrook, Kiawah and John's Island, Fritz Fielding who will be facing S.C. Sen. Robert Ford in a Democratic primary for Senate District 42, former Charleston City Councilman Paul Tinkler who is running for the Senate District 41 seat that until recently was held by now Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell, and Larry Carter who filed for the S.C. House District seat 114, currently held by Rep. Bobby Harrell.

More Democrats are expected to file for offices later today and over the next two weeks, according to former Charleston County Democratic Chair George Tempel.

"We've got someone for almost every office," Tempel said. "I couldn't find a coroner though."

Tempel said the party expects a strong showing in Charleston County, which went for Pres. Barack Obama in the 2008 election.

Those wishing to run for office as a Democrat need to file at the at 473 Savannah Highway.

Check back later for updates and interviews with candidates.