2 candidates are tracked for South Carolina House District 96, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Vivian Elston and Hunter Hackett. Candidate information follows official Lexington County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Vivian Elston (Democratic), Hunter Hackett (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Donald Ryan McCabe, Jr. (R), the sitting member per the House roster, is not on the November ballot. No candidate reached a majority in the June 9 Republican primary (Hunter Hackett 48.3 percent, Scotty Whetstone 32.6 percent, Perry Finch 19.1 percent); Hunter Hackett won the June 23 runoff with 67.3 percent over Scotty Whetstone (32.7 percent). 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.
South Carolina › Lexington County › South Carolina House District 96
Democratic
Elston worked in finance and operations before pursuing public service, and later returned to college, earning a sociology degree summa cum laude from the University of South Carolina Beaufort, per the campaign site. She lives in Lexington, South Carolina, per the campaign site.
Republican
Per the iVoterGuide questionnaire.
Hunter Hackett works as an Industrial Maintenance Technician at Michelin North America, per his iVoterGuide questionnaire responses. He holds an associate degree in Forest Management Technology from Horry-Georgetown Technical College and is an Eagle Scout, and is the Republican nominee for South Carolina House District 96. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Who is running for South Carolina House District 96 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for South Carolina House District 96, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Vivian Elston and Hunter Hackett. Candidate information follows official Lexington County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the South Carolina House District 96 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 Lexington 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 Lexington County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official South Carolina election office, or see the full Lexington County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
23 tracked races in Lexington County, South Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.