May 26—The date has been set for the special election to fill the vacancy on Aiken County Council after Willar H. Hightower resigns May 31.

The District 8 representative announced May 23 at the Aiken County Government Center that he would be leaving his position "to focus my time on building my strength to overcome several major health issues."

According to an email from Aiken County Registration and Elections Executive Director Cynthia Holland, the special election will be held Oct. 17.

The filing period for candidates will begin at noon on June 16 and continue until noon on June 23.

If needed, a primary election will be held Aug. 15.

Hightower, 79, served on County Council for more than 30 years.

He originally was elected as District 8's representative in 1986 and was reelected most recently in 2020.

Hightower, who is a Democrat, also served on Aiken City Council and the Aiken Planning and Zoning Commission.

The process for conducting special elections to fill vacancies is included the South Carolina Code of Laws.