County councilmen will run unopposed
Beattie challenges Phillips; Spencer takes on Spratt
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

Gaffney businessman Bobby Beattie hopes the third time is the charm.

Beattie beat the Sunday noon deadline by filing with GOP county chairman Brenda Earls on Saturday for the State House District 30 seat held by Democrat incumbent Olin Phillips.

Beattie was unsuccessful in unseating Phillips in two previous attempts.

Another longtime Democrat lawmaker, John Spratt, will face a familiar Republican challenger. Limestone College professor Albert Spencer filed with state party officials in Columbia on Thursday for Spratt's 5th Congressional District seat. Spratt won a comfortable victory over Spencer in 2004.

Both races will be decided in the November general election.

There won't be any election night suspense in the race for Cherokee County Council. All four incumbents - Quay Little (District 3), Hoke Parris (District 6), Tim Spencer (District 4) and Rufus Foster (District 1) - face no opposition.

State Sen. Harvey Peeler (RGaffney) also has no challenger.

In the House District 29 race, Democrat incumbent Dennis Moss will once again face off against Republican rival Danny Stacy. Moss narrowly defeated Stacy two years ago.

The primary is slated for Tuesday, June 10. The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Earls said she's happy with the GOP's slate of candidates.

"We have a great list and we are anxious to get campaigning," Earls said. "The future is much brighter."

Local Democrat boss Gayle Phillips also likes her party's chances.

"I'm happy with our candidates," she said. "We have a strong group of incumbents who have done a good job and hopefully will continue to do a good job."