Beaufort County voters sent a resounding message that they want to keep the status quo. Not a single incumbent in Beaufort County was unseated in the November 5th election. With a 75% voter turnout in the county, the people have spoken, and change is not what they want.
Here is a list of Beaufort County representatives who will keep their seats for another term:
- Nancy Mace – US House of Representatives, District 1
- Chip Campsen – State Senate, District 43
- Margie Bright Matthews – State Senate, District 45
- Tom Davis – State Senate, District 46
- Bill Herbkersham – State House of Representatives, District 118
- Weston Newton – State House of Representatives, District 120
- Michael F Rivers Sr – State House of Representatives, District 121
- Bill Hager – State House of Representatives, District 122
- Jeff Bradley – State House of Representatives, District 123
- Shannon Erickson – State House of Representatives, District 124
- Duffie Stone – Solicitor, Circuit 14
- Jerri Roseneau – Clerk of Court
- Gerald Dawson – County Council, District 1
- York Glover – County Council, District 3
- Logan S Cunningham – County Council, District 7
- School Board
- Hilton Head Town Council
- Hilton Head and Fripp Island Public Service District
- Phil Cromer, Beaufort Mayor
- Neil Lipsitz and Mitch Mitchell, Beaufort City Council
The county’s 2024 Transportation Sales Tax Referendum did not pass after opposition from a widespread, grassroots effort across the county. Some of the reasons were lack of transparency and trust, misuse of previous referendum funds, and including projects that the public does not want. Even so, three of the county council members that were on council as the public’s distrust hit a fever pitch in the last year, were elected for four more years.
Gerald Dawson cost the county thousands to settle a sexual harassment suit against him that was filed by a county employee. Even so, he was re-elected.
York Glover and Gerald Dawson were sitting on the county’s Finance Administration and Economic Development Committee (and still do) while rampant spending and alleged widespread corruption was happening. Even so, they were re-elected.
In the last year, a well funded coalition of City of Beaufort residents started a non-profit organization with the purpose of keeping the city and city council in check, the property taxes for city residents have consistently gone up at a rate well above inflation for the last four years, city spending has increased 27% in four years, and many acres of land have been clear cut to make way for an explosion in housing. Even so, two city council members that were on council when all of this happened were elected for four more years.
Considering the amount of attention paid to the national election in the county, it might be prudent for Beaufort County residents to put some more scrutiny and analysis into what is happening just outside their door. The demands for trust, transparency, and accountability should not fade away at the ballot box.
