Candidates begin filing for 2012 races

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Candidates are beginning to file to run for the South Carolina Legislature and Congress, including the new 7th District along the coast.

Filing for Republicans and Democrats running in the June primaries began at noon Friday. Candidates have until noon on March 30 to pay their fees and turn in paperwork.

All state House and Senate seats are up for re-election this year, as are U.S. House seats. South Carolina gained a new congressional district because of population growth in the 2010 census. The new district is anchored in Horry County and extends into the Pee Dee in the state’s northeast corner.

The race is expected to be crowded. As of 5 p.m. Friday, just one Republican and two Democrats had filed for the seat.