Contested Races To Make For Busy Primary

The June 12 primaries look to be plenty significant in Greenville County, as contested races within the Republican Party could make for a changing of the guard in some elected bodies.

The state Senate is already guaranteed of one new face, as Republican incumbent Phillip Shoopman announced over the weekend that he would be not seek re-election for the District 5 seat. Amanda Somers, a Greer business woman, would have been the only Republican contender remaining, but SCGOP Chairman Chad Connelly re-opened filing after Shoopman's announcement. Soon, current member of the S.C. House of Representatives Tom Corbin confirmed he was running against Somers.

The Senate District 6 race pits an entrenched incumbent against two Republican challengers. Mike Fair, who previously served in the state House for 10 years, has been representing District 6 in the Senate now since 1996. He'll face two challengers in the 2012 primary.

Tommie Reece, the manager of the "Learning for You" program at Furman University, has served on the Greenville County School Board for some 15 years. Meanwhile, Chris Sullivan, a well-known Republican campaigner and advisor, is running on a platform of fiscal conservatism, going after Fair on the basis that he has drifted away from the ideas of fiscal restraint that the Republican Party stands represents.

There is also primary competition for the District 20 seat of the Greenville County Council. Sid Cates, who has been on the council since 2007, comes from an educational background, having been the Principal of Bob Jones Academy in Greenville. His challenger is Republican Scott Stephens, the owner of Camille's Sidewalk Cafe in Greenville. Stephens will be running on a pro-business, pro-transparency platform.