Lawmaker to retire

A Pickens County state lawmaker from the Clemson area who survived a controversial re-election battle two years ago is announcing he will retire and not run again in 2014. He’s Six Mile resident and Westminster native B-R Skelton. A political opponent of Skelton’s, Pickens County Republican Chairman Phillip Bowers, is touting Ed Harris as Skelton’s eventual successor. Harris and Skelton contested in 2012 and wound up in lawsuits to determine who would serve.  Bowers said, “I have spoken with Ed Harris, and I expect him to announce his candidacy very soon.”