South Carolina Sen. Nikki Setzler was honored at the most recent City of Cayce council meeting on Nov. 5.

The District 26 representative, first elected in 1976, announced in early 2024 that he would retire.

Setzler is the longest currently serving state senator in the United States. A Democrat who has represented parts of Lexington County and surrounding areas, the West Columbia native, who grew up in Cayce, told locals at the Nov. 5 meeting that he’s not one to start fishing and hunting in retirement.

“I’ll be around here practicing law, doing some consulting,” he said. “I look forward to working with you in the community continuously.”

The District 26 seat will welcome another Democrat in 2025.

Democrat Russell Ott won the S.C. Senate District 26 seat, which currently covers Lexington, Richland and Calhoun counties, defeating Republican Jason Guerry. Ott received 50.27% of the vote in Lexington County.

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin also read a resolution recognizing Lexington County Councilwoman Debbie Summers, who represents District 4, covering Springdale and parts of Lexington and Oak Grove.

Summers was the first female chair of Lexington County Council and has served almost 20 years on the council. She has also held a variety of other leadership roles throughout South Carolina.

“[Lexington County] is absolutely the best place in the world to live,” Summers told locals at the Nov. 5 meeting.

Republican Todd Cockrell will serve on the county council after having earned 99.04% of ballots cast for the Lexington County Council District 4 seat.