GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  The families of two candidates running for the S.C. House 106 seat got into an altercation Wednesday  near the Horry/Georgetown counties line.

The incident involved Tim Wilkes, father of candidate Mande Wilkes, and Martina Hardwick, the wife of S.C. Rep. Nelson Hardwick, who is seeking re-election .

Accordinsg to the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called  to Wachesaw East in Murrells Inlet Wednesday evening.

They met with Wilkes, who said while he was in Horry County Mrs. Hardwick struck his vehicle.

That allegation is under investigation by the Highway Patrol, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Russell Goodall.

The report states the incident began while on Tournament Boulevard in Horry County.

Hardwick claims she saw Wilkes putting some of her husband’s campaign signs in his car.

He reportedly left the scene when she asked for the signs back, so Mrs. Hardwick followed him, the report states.

She said Wilkes backed into her car.

Wilkes told deputies the woman who confronted him had a gun, which is why he fled. He said she bumped into his vehicle at the Wachesaw entrance.

A Wachesaw guard said the two vehicles were “flying” when they entered the property.

No charges have been filed.

District 106 covers Garden City, Surfside, Socastee and Bucksport areas.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com