Some people still come in looking for used books, but that does give Mary Tinkler a chance to tell them about her father's campaign for state senate.

The Charleston Democratic Party has opened a West Ashley Election Headquarters at 1131 Savannah Hwy., in the former home of the Charleston Book Exchange, which closed earlier this year.

"For right now it's kind of the Tinkler for Senate headquarters," she said.

Tinkler is running against Republican Walter Hundley to finish now Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell's senate term. McConnell left his seat when former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned in March before pleading guilty to seven ethics charges.

The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17. County Democratic officials are focusing a lot of effort on that election.

Officials are also planning to use the office to support the other Democratic candidates that will appear on the November General Election. Three Democratic challengers in Charleston County made it through the S.C. Supreme Court decisions striking more than 200 candidates from the ballot unscathed so far, and there are several Democratic incumbents on the ballots as well.

Party officials say the office is a more centralized location, and they plan to use the space to help the various campaigns distribute campaign material and candidate signs.

The office is open 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.