2 candidates are tracked for South Carolina House District 81 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Charles Hartz and Pete Swales. Candidate information follows official Aiken County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Charles Hartz (Republican), Pete Swales (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Charles Hartz is the sitting member, per the House roster. South Carolina primaries require a majority (June 23 runoffs); unopposed nominees still print. The field is the SC Election Commission's Candidate Tracking System active list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Charles Hartz, is on the ballot.
South Carolina › Aiken County › South Carolina House District 81
Republican Incumbent
Charles Hartz is self-employed and represents South Carolina House District 81 in Aiken County, per the Legislature's roster. He has chaired the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and serves as a commissioner at Aiken Technical College. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Democratic
Pete Swales is the Democratic nominee for South Carolina House District 81 in Aiken County, challenging Republican incumbent Charles Hartz, per the Aiken Standard. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Who is running for South Carolina House District 81 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for South Carolina House District 81 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Charles Hartz and Pete Swales. Candidate information follows official Aiken County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the South Carolina House District 81 election in South Carolina?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for South Carolina are on the South Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Aiken County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Aiken County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official South Carolina election office, or see the full Aiken County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
17 tracked races in Aiken County, South Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.