Pickens County, South Carolina

South Carolina House District 4

2 candidates are tracked for South Carolina House District 4 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Clay Counts and Derrick Kruse. Candidate information follows official Pickens County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Clay Counts (Republican), Derrick Kruse (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. David R. Hiott (R), the sitting member per the House roster, is not on the November ballot. 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.

South Carolina › Pickens County › South Carolina House District 4

Clay Counts

Republican

Top priorities

Limited, constitutional government and reducing overreach on citizens
Preserving local culture through churches, families and communities
Prioritizing taxpayers and everyday citizens over special interests

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Counts is a sales manager at Sealevel Systems in Liberty, South Carolina, and holds an accounting degree from Clemson University, per the campaign site. He co-founded Liberty Speaks, a local news website, and serves as president of the Liberty Lions Club, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Derrick Kruse

Democratic

Top priorities

Keeping working families from being priced out of their communities
Improving access to healthcare, housing and essential services
Balancing community growth with preserving local character

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Derrick Kruse is a military veteran running for South Carolina House District 4 in Pickens County, per Kruse's campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotSouth Carolina House District 5

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for South Carolina House District 4 in 2026?

When is the South Carolina House District 4 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 10 South Carolina House District 1 South Carolina House District 2 See all 6 Pickens County races

Candidate profiles

Clay Counts, full profile Derrick Kruse, full profile Official South Carolina election office