Dorchester County voters head to polls Tuesday to fill the vacant House District 98 seat left by Chris Murphy, who resigned from the General Assembly earlier this month.

The special election covers parts of Summerville and rural areas of Dorchester County, a district that has sent Republicans to Columbia for more than a decade. Murphy, who served since 2017, cited personal reasons for his departure mid-term.

State law requires a special election within 60 days of a legislative resignation. The South Carolina Election Commission set Tuesday’s date to comply with that mandate.

Two candidates qualified for the Republican primary: Summerville businessman David Hayes and former Dorchester County Council member Patricia Williams. No Democrats filed, making the GOP primary effectively the general election in the heavily Republican district.

Hayes, who owns a local construction company, has emphasized economic development and infrastructure improvements. Williams, who served one term on county council before losing re-election in 2020, campaigned on education funding and government accountability.

“We need someone who understands how county and state government work together,” Williams said at a candidate forum last week. “My experience on council gives me that perspective.”

Hayes countered that his business background better prepares him for legislative budget work. “I’ve had to make payroll and balance books in the real world,” Hayes said. “That’s what Columbia needs more of.”

Murphy’s resignation surprised political observers, coming just 14 months into his fourth term. The 52-year-old cited family obligations but provided few details about his departure from a seat he won with 68% of the vote in November.

The timing creates challenges for whoever wins Tuesday. The General Assembly returns to Columbia in January for the 2025 session, giving the new representative little time to build relationships or secure committee assignments.

District 98 includes the fast-growing areas around Summerville, where new subdivisions have changed the political dynamics in recent years. While the district remains solidly Republican, demographic shifts have drawn attention from both parties as they eye future redistricting battles.

The special election also tests local Republican organization strength following mixed results in November’s general election. While GOP candidates won most Dorchester County races, margins in some contests narrowed compared to previous cycles.

Turnout typically drops significantly for special elections, particularly those held in off-cycle months. Election officials expect fewer than 15% of registered voters to participate Tuesday, compared to the 72% who voted in the November general election.

Polling locations open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters must cast ballots at their assigned precincts, with locations available on the state Election Commission website.

The winner joins a Republican-dominated House delegation from the Charleston metro area that has grown more influential as the region’s population expands. Recent Politics & Government coverage shows how area legislators have secured increased infrastructure funding and pushed for development-friendly policies.

Both candidates have raised modest amounts for the abbreviated campaign. Campaign finance reports due Friday show Hayes collected $12,400 in contributions while Williams raised $8,900, mostly from local business owners and political allies.

Murphy’s departure also creates an opening on the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, where he served as vice chairman. The assignment typically goes to members with business experience, potentially favoring Hayes if he wins.

The district’s boundaries, drawn in 2021 redistricting, pack Republican voters into a compact area that stretches from Summerville’s suburban neighborhoods to rural communities near the Edisto River. Democratic legislators criticized the map as reducing their party’s competitiveness in surrounding districts.

Local issues dominating the campaign include traffic congestion on Highway 78, school overcrowding in new developments, and water infrastructure needs for growing neighborhoods. Both candidates support increased state funding for road improvements and school construction.

The winner serves the remainder of Murphy’s term through January 2027. House District 98 will be on the regular ballot in 2026, when all state legislative seats face election.

Election results should be available by 9 p.m. Tuesday, according to Dorchester County election officials. The new representative is expected to be sworn in when the House reconvenes for committee work in early January.

With municipal elections across the region drawing attention to local government issues, Tuesday’s special election represents another test of voter engagement in Charleston-area politics as communities grapple with rapid growth and changing demographics.