SUMMERVILLE — Voters in the Dorchester County-based House District 98 will head to the polls Nov. 4 to determine the Republican and Democratic candidates vying to replace outgoing state Rep. Chris Murphy after his sudden retirement announcement earlier this year.

It’s long been considered a safe Republican seat. But among some political observers, the upcoming primary — and the ensuing special election set for Jan. 6, 2026 — could be a bellwether both for the current state of the modern Republican Party and for Democrats seeking signs of life against the present double-barreled GOP supermajority they face in the Statehouse.

Among Republicans, two candidates — Air Force veteran Greg Ford and pardoned Jan. 6 protestor David Johnston, who is backed by the House Freedom Caucus — will c

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