So Far, Few Takers in District 100 Special Election

Voters in Berkeley County’s District 100 should be picking a new state House representative this fall. So far, the choice will not be very difficult.

Filing closes at noon on Monday for the seat left open after the death of Rep. C. David Umphlett Jr. (right). He died May 29 after a fight with pancreatic cancer.

Berkeley County Planning Commission Chairman Eddie Southard, a Republican, put his hat in the ring on the first day of filing last Friday. So far, he’s alone. Southard operates Cooper River Construction in Moncks Corner. He told Patch that he’s close to retirement and that he has always been interested in politics.

County GOP Chairman Tim Callanan says he’s spoken to a few other party members who have been curious about the race, but none have committed to running.

No Democrats have filed for the seat, says Democratic Party Chair Melissa Watson. She’s not too sure she’ll see any interest in the deep red district. Umphlett, a Republican, ran unopposed last November for his fifth term.

If there are candidates, primaries will be held Aug. 9, with the special election Sept. 27. Candidates can file at the county election office or through their county party leader. The filing fee is $113.

For this election, the district runs just north of Goose Creek. S.C. House for 2012 are expected to cut out much of the southern end of the district for the new District 15.