Simpsonville Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Simpsonville Patch is devoted to bring you the information you need about every race in town. 

Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near.

Bookmark this page for updates.

The Ballot Mess knocked hundreds of candidates off the June primary ballots and leaves dozens working on petition campaigns.

The Red Palmetto and Blue Palmetto surveys are weekly attempts to connect our readers to the influential Republicans and Democrats on the ground in South Carolina.

2012 Presidential Race

Barack Obama has some people wondering whether South Carolina is in play.

Mitt Romney becomes the first Republican candidate in three decades to not win the Palmetto State.

Mitt Romney is raising more money than Barack Obama with fewer SC Donors.

Who got the best post-convention bounce? Patch readers weighed in. 

Patch readers say Mitt Romney handily beat President Obama in their first debate. 

Local Connections

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney , according to Federal Elections Commission data through Aug. 31.

Romney visited the Upstate several times during the primary season. He returned to the Upstate once for a fundrasier after the June primary.

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan made an overnight stop in the Upstate for a fundraiser at a Greenville developer's home. He didn't speak to the media, but did wave as he was leaving the plane.

A huge discussion surrounding much of this election has been Voter ID. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-4, and Sen. Lindsey Graham appealed to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to resist any appeal of an Oct. 10 federal court ruling that upheld the state's Voter ID law.

If elected as the 4th Congressional District representative, Jeff Sumerel promises to accept no financial contributions, express no opinion, hold one-term, and implement a secure online voting system. He also has signed a public pledge to keep him committed to these things.

South Carolina Republicans held a Take Back rally in Greenville. Rep. Jeff Duncan, SC-3, showed up with an empty chair, while Rep. Tim Scott of Charleston led the crowd in singing "Hit the Road Jack."

President Barack Obama's former campaign co-chair visited Greer to support the Republican party in October. Artur Davis was a guest speaker for a fund-raising event, where he told the crowd why they needed to elect Mitt Romney.

Ross Turner is expected to be unopposed. He defeated Joe Swann in a hotly contested run-off to unseat David Thomas for the Senate 8 seat.

A lawsuit filed by the Democratic over Turner's eligibility was tossed out of court.