13 people file to run for Pinckney’s state Senate seat

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Thirteen people have filed to run for the state Senate seat that Clementa Pinckney held for 15 years before he and eight of his parishioners were slain last month.

The filing period ended Monday. Eleven Democrats and two Republicans are vying for the seat that includes parts of Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties.

Candidates include one legislator, Democratic Rep. Kenneth Hodges of Green Pond.

Primaries will be Sept. 1. The special election is scheduled Oct. 20.

Pinckney served four years in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2000. The Ridgeland Democrat was pastor of historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, where a gunman opened fire June 17 following a Bible study. A 21-year-old white man is indicted on nine murder charges.