Two races for Richland County Council are contested this primary. Tyra Little and Christa Williams, both new to county politics, are vying to represent District 3 as Democrats. In District 10, newcomer DeAnta Reese is challenging incumbent Cheryl English.
Early results Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. Little is leading the District 3 race with 755 votes to Williams’ 493 votes. In District 10, English leads by 600 votes to Reese’s 333 as of 8:28 p.m.
District 3 includes Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes and Dentsville. Yvonne McBride, who currently holds the seat, is not running for re-election.
Little is a U.S. Air Force veteran and advocate for “expanding senior services, improving transportation infrastructure and implementing comprehensive youth development programs,” according to her campaign website.
Williams is a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard. She lists addressing youth gun violence, community destruction and affordable housing as among her priorities. Williams ran and lost campaigns for Columbia City Council in 2021 and 2023. After losing the 2021 City Council race, she opened Uncle Willie’s Grocery Store on Main Street after hearing voters complain about not having access to fresh groceries.
District 10 covers parts of northeast and lower Richland. Both Reese and English are longtime residents of Richland County. English worked as a consultant for government agencies for more than thirty years. Reese is a real estate consultant.
During their campaigns, both candidates emphasized the need for improving infrastructure and paving roads. Engels also mentioned the need to advocate for workforce and affordable housing.
Gretchen Barron of District 7 also faced a challenger, but her opponent Taneshia Horne withdrew from the election.
Derreck Pugh in District 2, Overture Walker in District 8 and Council President Jesica Mackey in District 9 are all also up for re-election, but have no primary challengers. Pugh, Mackey and Barron will not face challengers in the November general election. Walker could face Forward Party challenger James Andreen in November if he doesn’t win his primary for Senate District 22.
Members of the Richland County Council earn $25,600 per year and serve four-year terms. The council voted for a salary increase at the end of 2022.
