By Lindsay Street, Statehouse correspondent | The solid Republican majority in the S.C. House of Representatives is unlikely to sway much in the Nov. 3 election.

But political observers say nine races — from Lancaster to James Island — will be close as Republicans and Democrats jockey to pick up seats. There are 59 general election races of the 124 seats.

Currently,there are 78 Republicans, 45 Democrats and 1 vacancy in the House. The vacancy is House District 107 in Horry County, formerly held by former GOP Rep. Alan Clemmons who resigned over the summer.

With districts drawn to favor the incumbent party, upsets are rare. But changing demographics in the Charleston area, the Midlands and the Upstate are providing opportunities.

For Republicans, the strategy is to pick up seats from 2018 upsets and from Democrats who see their rural districts getting redder.