Who’s running for South Carolina State Senator as the Myrtle Beach Representative?

The race for the position of District 33’s South Carolina State Senator is a contested one this election cycle.

Republic incumbent Luke Rankin is running against Democrat Pete John Bember this November, according to a Horry County General Election sample ballot.

Rankin has served in public office since 1993 and currently serves as the chairman for the state senate’s judiciary committee, according to his biography on the South Carolina State House website. He previously beat Conway City Councilman Autry Benton during the June Republican Primary Election in Horry County.

“It takes team work and a common-sense approach to make meaningful progress and reform in Government to achieve that brighter future,” Rankin said in a statement on his campaign’s website. “With your help, I am working every day to achieve improvements for our citizens and their quality of life.”

Bember has spent his career working as a sales manager as well as a mortgage and insurance expert, according to his page on the Horry County Democratic Party website. He’s recently moved back home to Conway.

“As a Purple Candidate, I stand for inclusion, Making sure every Voter feels like their voice counts,” a statement from Bember on the Horry County Democratic Party website said. “I believe in reaching across the isle to get work done for the people of South Carolina and holding firm to our Democratic values.”

District 33 in the state senate represents constituents from Horry County. Both candidates said they were born and raised in Horry County.