8 in S.C. House May not Seek Re-Election

At least eight S.C. House lawmakers – five Republicans and two Democrats – may not seek re-election in 2014, sending Republican and Democratic leaders searching for their replacements.

Instead of seeking re-election, most of those House members are considering races for other offices, largely focusing on two races – for superintendent of education and lieutenant governor.

State Reps. Mike Anthony and Bakari Sellers, both Democrats, have said they will run for state superintendent of education and lieutenant governor, respectively.

Sellers’ seat is in heavily Democratic Bamberg County. But Anthony’s Union County district is in Republican territory and figures to be hotly contested. Former state Rep. David Tribble, who was drawn out of his House district during the 2010 redistricting, says he will run for Anthony’s seat as a Republican.

“Union County had a Republican representative before Mike Anthony, and it has gone Republican in the last two presidential elections,” Tribble said. “I think Union County would be open to somebody that comes over there and makes a case for state government that has to do with conservative values.”

Two Republican representatives, Andy Patrick and Shannon Erickson, both of Beaufort County, also are considering running for other offices, potentially opening up their seats in the 124-member House. Both may run for education superintendent after GOP incumbent Mick Zais has said he will not seek a second term.

If Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell decides not to run, state Rep. Ralph Norman, R-York, is considering a bid to succeed the Charleston Republican. York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant could run as a Republican to replace Norman in the House.

Two longtime Republican lawmakers – Reps. Roland Smith of Aiken and B.R. Skelton of Pickens – likely will retire.

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