Charleston, South Carolina – Voters in the Lowcountry are heading to the polls today, Tuesday, to participate in a series of special elections aimed at filling three key vacancies in local government. These elections include positions for Dorchester County Council District 1, South Carolina House District 113, and the Mount Pleasant Town Council, with the latter seeing a particularly crowded field of contenders.
The Mount Pleasant Town Council seat, recently vacated by Carl Ritchie following his swearing-in as Charleston County Sheriff, has attracted significant attention with nine candidates vying for the position. This high number of contenders comes even after one candidate withdrew last Friday, indicating strong interest and competition for the role. The candidates on the ballot are Jordan Bryngelson, Brianna Harmon, Derek Johnson, Garrett Lacy, David Smith, David Spedden, Bob Swain, Mike Tinkey, and Mike Van Horn Sr.
In Dorchester County, the Council District 1 seat has a head-to-head matchup between Republican George Bailey and Democrat Peter S. Smith, Jr. This race, while less crowded, is no less significant, highlighting the local community’s engagement in their civic leadership.
The special election also extends to South Carolina House District 113, which spans from North Charleston to Summerville. Here, Courtney Waters stands unopposed after a decisive win in the primaries, showcasing her strong support base within the district.
These elections are critical not only for the immediate filling of these vacant seats but also for setting the stage for potential future electoral contests, especially in Mount Pleasant where the high number of candidates could lead to further electoral activities.
Adding to the local political landscape, North Charleston will also see special elections on May 27 to fill two more seats on the City Council, following the resignations of former councilmen Jerome Heyward and Sandino Moses. This upcoming election underscores a period of significant change and active participation in local governance across the Lowcountry.
