SPARTANBURG, S.C. —

Early voting is underway in Spartanburg and Greenville counties for the South Carolina Senate District 12 special primary election.

Three Republican candidates are competing to fill the seat that will be vacated by Roger Nutt in January. The state senator announced in August he was stepping down after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Former Spartanburg County Clerk of Court Hope Blackley, former Spartanburg County Council Member Justin Bradley and former state senator Lee Bright are all contending for the seat.

The district encompasses the western part of Spartanburg County and an eastern portion of Greenville County.

Blackley emphasized the importance of conserving green spaces amid growth.

"If we're going to have expansion of growth, being able to make sure we

See Full Page