Three Republican incumbents won contested primaries Tuesday for South Carolina House seats that take in Lancaster County, and each will face a Democratic challenger in the fall as the county’s General Assembly districts head toward a full slate of November contests.
The races carry weight for one of the fastest growing parts of the state, including the Lancaster County panhandle and Indian Land, where representation in the General Assembly shapes how the county handles roads, schools and rapid residential growth. The seats span multiple counties, but all four districts on the county’s fall ballot, Districts 44, 45, 53 and 65, include a piece of Lancaster County. Every primary winner cleared a majority, so none advances to a June 23 runoff.
State House District 44
District 44, which lies within Lancaster County, produced the closest of the primaries. Incumbent Rep. Mike Neese won the Republican primary with 2,410 votes, or 51.47 percent, over Tripp McCoy, who received 2,272 votes, or 48.53 percent. The margin was 138 votes out of 4,682 cast. Neese will face Democrat Katie Crosby in the November general election.
State House District 45
Incumbent Rep. Brandon Newton won the Republican primary in District 45, which covers parts of Kershaw and Lancaster Counties, with 2,301 votes, or 56.23 percent. Russell Brazell finished with 1,791 votes, or 43.77 percent, from the 4,092 ballots cast. Newton will face Democrat Nicole Ventour in November.
State House District 53
District 53, which takes in parts of Chesterfield, Darlington and Lancaster Counties, did not feature a contested primary among the results reported for the county. Incumbent Rep. Richie Yow, a Republican, advances to the general election, where he will face Democrat Bruce Wallace.
State House District 65
Incumbent Rep. Cody T. Mitchell won the Republican primary in District 65, which spans parts of Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw and Lancaster Counties, by the widest margin of the contested races. Mitchell took 3,211 votes, or 73.26 percent, while Barbara Arthur received 1,172 votes, or 26.74 percent, from the 4,383 ballots cast. Mitchell will face Democrat Tanisha Baskin in November.
What comes next
All four districts head to the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with Republican incumbents facing Democratic challengers in each. Results reported on election night are unofficial until certified. Voters can review official totals and contest details through the South Carolina Election Commission at scvotes.gov and the Lancaster County Voter Registration and Elections Office.
