Many state, local seats up for election in 2008

This is not just a year about electing a new president.

Local candidate races are already heating up, with the announcements that state Sen. Greg Gregory, R-District 16, and Sheriff Johnny Cauthen, a Democrat, won't be running for re-election.

Barry Faile, chief deputy at the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, is the first local candidate to throw his hat in the ring. He announced Thursday, two days after Cauthen announced his retirement plans, that he would be running as a Democrat in the local sheriff's race.

Following are the seats that will be up for election this year:

Federal

- U.S. Senate, Lindsey Graham, R-Seneca

- District 5 U.S. House, John Spratt, D-York

State

- District 16 Senate, Greg Gregory, R-Lancaster

- District 27 Senate, Vincent Sheheen, D-Camden

- District 44 House, Jimmy Neal, D-Kershaw

- District 45 House, Mick Mulvaney, R-Indian land

- District 65 House, Jay Lucas, R-Darlington

Countywide

- Clerk of Court, Jeff Hammond, D

- Sheriff, Johnny Cauthen, D

- Coroner, Michael Morris, D

- County Auditor, Cheryl Morgan, D

- County Treasurer, Richard Rowell, D

County Council seats

District 1, Bryan Vaughn, R

District 3, Wesley Grier, R

District 5, Rudy Carter, D

District 7, Wayne Kersey, D

The filing period for these offices is from noon March 17 through noon March 31 and will be with the local parties.

School board (non-partisan)

District 2, Charlene McGriff

District 4, Peter Barry

District 6, Margaret Gamble

Lancaster City Council (non-partisan)

District 3, Audrey Curry

District 4, Bill Sumner

District 6, Danny O'Brien

Watershed

Soil and Water Conservation District commissioners and the Cane Creek Watershed director and Little Lynches Watershed director will also be elected in a non-partisan race in November.

The filling period for all non-partisan races will be in August.