Dorchester Voters Gear Up for House District 98 Special Election

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Special Election in South Carolina House District 98

Voters in Dorchester County are heading to the polls for a special election to fill South Carolina House District 98 on Tuesday. The race became necessary after Republican Chris Murphy resigned, leaving the seat open just before the start of the 2026 legislative session.

The winner of the Jan. 6 election will serve the remainder of the current term and join lawmakers in Columbia as they begin the new legislative session on January 13.

Democrat Dr. Sonja Ogletree-Satani is making a second attempt to win the seat, having previously lost to Murphy in 2024. A retired U.S. Air Force veteran, educator, small business owner, and mother, Ogletree-Satani says her diverse background has shaped her approach to leadership and public service.

“I make sure that I take care of people — from an educator, a veteran, a small business owner — service is in my blood,” Ogletree-Satani said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time. It’s nothing new. People trust me.”

Ogletree-Satani emphasizes that effective leadership means listening and working across party lines to address local needs. She highlights issues impacting families in Dorchester County, including education funding, cost-of-living concerns, and responsible infrastructure growth.

“As a leader, you have to be able to listen,” she said. “You have to be able to work with both Republicans and Democrats, independents across the aisle, to come up with solutions that are going to make not only the state better, but also this district better.”

If elected, Ogletree-Satani plans to focus on fully funding public schools, supporting teachers, lowering costs for working families, and pushing for infrastructure improvements that keep pace with growth.

“We need to make sure that we have an equitable distribution to support all of our public schools, to support our teachers,” she said. “We are way below where we need to be.”

She also stressed that regardless of the election outcome, both candidates want what is best for the district.

“It’s about serving the people,” Ogletree-Satani said. “Whether you supported me or not, it’s about all of us.”

Republican Candidate Greg Ford

Republican candidate Greg Ford was unavailable to speak on camera and did not respond to a list of questions sent ahead of the interview. News 4 hopes to speak with him ahead of Election Day.

According to Ford’s campaign website, his platform focuses on conservative priorities such as improving infrastructure, protecting individual liberties, defending Second Amendment rights, and eliminating the state income tax. Ford has also highlighted his military leadership experience, including multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, as preparation for public office.

Election Day Details

Election Day is scheduled for Tuesday, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters who did not cast a ballot during early voting can still vote in person and must bring a valid photo ID.