District 30 race getting crowded

You can add Bobby Beattie to the growing list of candidates who want to fill the term of late State House member Olin Phillips.

Beattie, who unsuccessfully ran against Phillips three times, including the 2008 November general election, joins Libby Swad and a pair of Cherokee County councilmen, Tim Spencer and Bailey Humphries, in the race.

Former Cherokee County Chief Magistrate Scott Ramsey also is expected to make his official announcement some time this week.

Spencer is the lone Democrat of the bunch.

Beattie said he's attuned to the demands of the job because of his prior attempts to unseat Phillips.

"I feel like I'm qualified," he said. "I've run a business and I really enjoy helping people. I've showed that I really want the job."

Humphries, a former Cherokee County Republican Party chairman, is currently serving his second full term on council.

Spencer made his announcement Tuesday following his swearing-in ceremony for his second full term on council.

Spencer is Phillips' son-in-law.

Phillips, 74, died Dec. 27 of a heart attack.

In 2006, Swad was narrowly defeated by Beattie for the Republican nomination for the State House District 30 seat. She is a retired school teacher and served as president and on the board of directors of the Cherokee County Humane Society.

The 10-day filing period will open Jan. 16. The primary is scheduled for March 10 and the general election will take place April 28.