A solicitor who's been in office for more than a decade has his eye on a new position. Greg Hembree, who serves as Solicitor of Horry and Georgetown Counties, announced his plans to run for the Senate District 28 seat currently held by Dick Elliott.
Hembree made his announcement Thursday night at the North Myrtle Beach Republican Club's monthly meeting. He reached out to a crowd of about 50 people for his official announcement since they were the first to support him when he initially ventured into elected office in the late 1990's. Hembree says he's ready to move beyond the courtroom.
"When you pass a law, it can be well intentioned but can create a mess. It oftentimes does, so you've got to be really really careful about what sort of actions you take in the general assembly. They have these sort of unintended consequences. I understand the implementation. I understand what it's like to solve problems, and it's a place where I think I could do some good in that capacity."
Hembree says he met with his opponent Dick Elliott, who's held the seat for 15 years, earlier Thursday in Columbia. "We obviously have a difference in opinion. It was two gentleman discussing things intelligently. He sees it one way, and we're going to agree to disagree about that."
Hembree adds, "Certainly he's entrenched. He's got folks he's done things for over the years that are certainly going to support him, and I appreciate that, but I think we can present an alternative and focus on the issues."
Hembree goes on to say he thinks state level leaders need to move beyond focusing on individual communities and look at issues in a regional way.
He will officially file for the seat next March and won't give up his position as 15th Judicial Circuit Solicitor to run.
It appears as if Hembree will face an opponent in a Republican primary for the seat.
State Representative Tracy Edge has said he will run. Edge currently represents House District 104. He's held that position since 1996.
Senate District 28 includes parts of Dillon, Horry, Marion and Marlboro Counties.
