Pickens County, South Carolina

South Carolina House District 3

2 candidates are tracked for South Carolina House District 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Phillip Bowers and Claiborne Linvill. Candidate information follows official Pickens County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Phillip Bowers (Republican), Claiborne Linvill (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Phillip Bowers is the sitting member, per the House roster. Phillip Bowers won the June 9 Republican primary with 65.2 percent over Joe Burgett (34.8 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.

What this office does

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, Phillip Bowers, is on the ballot.

South Carolina › Pickens County › South Carolina House District 3

Phillip Bowers

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

Supports replacing and improving roads and bridges
Wants school choice so parents can choose what is best for their children
Supports protecting life at all stages

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Bowers is a small business owner with private-sector business experience who previously served as a reserve deputy sheriff for 10 years and on the Pickens County School Board for eight years, per the campaign site. He is a graduate of Clemson University and Southern Wesleyan University and a lifelong resident of Six Mile, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Claiborne Linvill

Democratic

Biography

Claiborne Linvill serves on Pickens County Council representing District 1 and is founder and president of Rock Creek Communications, a marketing consultancy, per Pickens County government. Linvill previously worked as PR and marketing director for the South Carolina Botanical Garden and holds degrees from Wake Forest University and Clemson University, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 21, 2026.

Next on your ballotSouth Carolina House District 4

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for South Carolina House District 3 in 2026?

When is the South Carolina House District 3 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 Pickens 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Pickens County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official South Carolina election office, or see the full Pickens County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Pickens County ballot

6 tracked races in Pickens County, South Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

South Carolina House District 5 South Carolina House District 10 South Carolina House District 1 See all 6 Pickens County races

Candidate profiles

Phillip Bowers, full profile Claiborne Linvill, full profile Official South Carolina election office