The High Cost of Running for Office in York County, South Carolina

Running for political office in York County, South Carolina, requires not only dedication but also significant financial resources. Recent campaign finance reports reveal the substantial costs associated with running for positions in the South Carolina State House of Representatives, the State Senate, and the York County Sheriff’s Office.

State House of Representatives – District 66 and District 26

Candidates vying for seats in the South Carolina State House of Representatives, particularly in Districts 66 and 26, have spent considerable sums to support their campaigns. The average expenditure per candidate in these districts is $51,014.

In District 66, which includes Tega Cay, Jackie Terribile and Michele Branning are the primary candidates. Terribile raised $50,284.71 from 189 donors and contributed $3,600 of her own money. Her campaign expenditures were spread across 23 vendors, with the largest payment of $32,326.50 going to Campaign Marketing Strategies, Inc. Jackie Terrible Pre-election Report.

Branning, on the other hand, collected $28,346.00 from 83 donors without contributing any personal funds. She spent her campaign funds on 10 vendors, with Starboard Communications receiving the largest amount of $20,651.35. Michele Branning Pre-election Report. 

In District 26, which covers Fort Mill, Elizabeth Enns and David Martin are in the race. Enns garnered $57,666.55 from 190 donors and added $650.53 of her own money. Her campaign costs were distributed among 17 vendors, with the highest payment of $9,351.21 made to Ivory Tusk Consulting. Elizabeth Enns Pre-election Report.

Martin raised $54,511.00 from 114 donors and contributed $9,000 of his own money. His campaign expenditures were allocated to 24 vendors, with Starboard Communications receiving the largest sum of $34,865.22. David Martin Pre-election Report.

Solicitor, 16th Circuit

Tyler Bratton raised $41,480 from 79 donors without using personal funds. His expenditures totaled $22,286.5 and were distributed among 10 vendors, with 321 Graphics receiving $9,201.21 for signs.

Kevin Brackett raised $66,765.94 from 162 donors with $5808.64 being a loan of personal money to his campaign. His expenditures were $63,820.9 distributed among 41 vendors, with Limelight Marketing receiving $37,673.68.

York County Sheriff

The race for York County Sheriff also saw significant financial investments, with an average expenditure of $28,548 per candidate.

Tony Breeden, one of the candidates, raised $34,435.00 from 83 donors without using personal funds. His expenditures were distributed among six vendors, with the largest payment of $7,770.43 going to the York County Board of Elections for the filing fee. Sign Innovations received the second-largest payment of $5,121.02. Tony Breeden Pre-election Report.

Beth Bryant Tolson raised $29,790.00 from 45 donors and contributed $8,000 of her own money. Her campaign costs were spread over 12 vendors, with WRHI/CN2 receiving the largest amount of $7,450.00. Beth Bryant Tolson Pre-election Report.

Michael Belk, who raised $8,810.00 from 25 donors and added $18,101.10 of his own money, spent his funds on 10 vendors, with the filing fee of $7,770.43 paid to the York County Board of Elections being the largest expenditure. Michael Belk Pre-election Report.

Chris Blevins, with 25 donors contributing $10,909.20 and an additional $1,000.00 of his own money, did not report any expenditures on the pre-election report. Chris Blevins Pre-election Report.

Heath Clevenger raised $22,694.98 from 95 donors and contributed $9,000 of his own money. His campaign funds were spent on 12 vendors, with the largest payment of $7,770.43 going to the York County Board of Elections for the filing fee. Dana Three Strategies received the second-largest payment of $5,921.57. Heath Clevenger Pre-election Report.

State Senate – District 17

The race for the South Carolina State Senate, District 17, which includes southern York County, saw an average expenditure of $54,115 per candidate.

Tibi Czentye raised $11,660.00 from 50 donors and contributed $10,416 of his own money. His campaign expenditures were spread across 18 vendors, with the largest payment of $3,789.41 going to Campaign Marketing Strategies. Tibi Czentye Pre-election Report

Tripp McCoy raised $4,605.00 from 13 donors and contributed $20,100 of his own money. He spent his funds on 21 vendors, with the largest payment of $9,173.67 going to Vistaprint. Tripp McCoy Pre-election Report. 

Everett Stubbs, who raised $115,165.00 from 225 donors and contributed $400 of his own money, had his campaign funds distributed among 42 vendors, with Starboard Communications receiving the largest payment of $35,000.40. Everett Stubbs Pre-election Report. 

These figures highlight the significant financial commitment required to run for public office in York County, reflecting both the challenges and the investments candidates are willing to make to serve their communities.

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