By admin 
There are five seats up for election on Richland County Council this year, with three of those races having primary elections. Those primary races are all among Democratic candidates for District 1, District 5 and District 11. The District 5 and District 11 races have no Republican challengers, meaning the primary race will decide the seat. Results will be updated as new vote totals are released. Results are unofficial until they are certified by the Richland County Election Commission.
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Richland County Council members are paid $26,799 per year, and the chair of the council is paid $29,479.
As of around 11 p.m., about 17% of Richland County precincts had fully reported their results.
Last updated: 11:05 p.m.
DISTRICT 1
Richland County Council’s northwest District 1 seat is currently held by Jason Branham, who is not running for re-election. The winner of the District 1 Democratic primary will face off against Republican Jim Reese in the November general election. Republican Charlie Meetze previously filed to run for the seat but has since withdrawn from the race.
Results so far (early voting and absentee ballots):
Kimberly Snipes — 1,748 votes — 85%
William Riley — 316 votes — 15%%
Who’s running:
William Riley: Deputy city manager, City of Clinton; board chair for Community Relations Council for Richland County.
Kimberly Snipes: Community & special projects director at the S.C. Bar; chair of the Lexington-Richland 5 school board.
DISTRICT 5
Incumbent Allison Terracio is vying to keep her District 5 seat, which covers central Columbia neighborhoods like Shandon and Five Points. Her challenger is Chelsea Richard. There are no Republicans running for the District 5 seat, meaning the primary race will effectively decide the election.
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Results so far (early voting and absentee ballots):
Allison Terracio — 1,337 votes — 65%%
Chelsea Richard — 690 votes — 35%%
Who’s running:
Allison Terracio: Self-employed campaign consultant; serving second term on council.
Chelsea Richard: VP of operations, Central Carolina Community Foundation; USC affiliate faculty.
DISTRICT 11
Four people are running for the District 11 seat, which covers the Garners Ferry Road corridor leading east out of Columbia. Incumbent Chakisse Newton is not running for re-election.
Results so far (early voting and absentee ballots):
Darrell ‘DJ’ Jackson Jr. — 2,283 votes — 56%
Eva Prioleau — 863 votes — 21%
Norman Jackson — 633 votes — 16%
James M Thompson I — 268 votes — 6.5%
Who’s running:
Norman Jackson: Retired SCDOT engineer; former Richland County Council chair.
Darrell “DJ” Jackson Jr.: COO of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road; executive director of Midlands Community Development Corporation.
Eva Prioleau: Retired from Richland County public works and SCDOT; vice chair of the county’s Transportation Penny Advisory Committee.
James M. Thompson I: Workforce development manager, S.C. Commission on Higher Education.
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