The Charleston County School District Board of Trustees may get at least two new faces based on Tuesday election results as of 11 p.m. after two years of being dominated by a majority faction of trustees backed by right-wing political group Moms for Liberty.
In the East Cooper part of the County in District 2, challenger Carolina Jewett led with 56.1% of the votes (10,552 votes) over incumbent Ed Kelley, a Moms for Liberty–backed trustee, who had 43.9% (8,248 votes). Jewett previously told the Charleston City Paper that she was tired of politics ruling the school board and was hoping for a change.
“Ultimately, these positions should not be political in any way,” she said in an Oct. 14 report. “When you make a decision, it should be based on what’s best for all of our children, not whether it’s a Democratic or Republican policy. That just doesn’t belong in the classroom, and it’s going to really hurt our school system.”
In North Charleston’s District 4, Kevin Hollinshead led with 53.9% of the vote (3,051 votes). His opponent, Craig Logan, had 46.1% (2,610 votes). Hollinshead previously told the City Paper he wanted to strive to find middle ground between the two opposing factions that have divided the school board.
But in the western part of the county in District 6, candidates Michele Leber and incumbent Daron Lee Calhoun II may be headed for a runoff. Leber, wife of Republican State Rep. Matt Leber who was ahead in his bid to be elected to the state Senate, had 48.4% of the vote (5,875 votes), while Calhoun had 37.4% (4,552 votes). Samuel Whatley II trailed with 14.3% of the vote (1,737 votes).
In District 8 in the Hollywood-Ravenel area, incumbent Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson and challenger Michelle Faust also appear headed to a runoff. Dunmeyer-Roberson had 46.6% of the vote (8,341 votes), and Faust had 37.3% (6,685 votes). Charles Glover received 16.1% of the vote (2,876 votes).
Other county election results
As of 11 p.m. with 14 of 31 precincts reporting, incumbent Democratic Charleston County Council member Rob Wehrman held 57.2% (8,801) of the votes in District 3.
In District 7 in West Ashley, incumbent Republican council member Brantley Moody garnered 55.7% (12,112) of the votes with 21 of 27 precincts reporting. Challenger Sydney van Bulck, a Democrat, had 44.3% (9,618 votes).
Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal, a Republican, was leading in her reelection bid as of 11 p.m. She had 54.3% of the vote (100,291 votes). Challenger Frank Broccolo, a Democrat, had 45.7% (84,413 votes).
Charleston County Treasurer Mary Tinkler, a Democrat, also was leading reelection with 53.1% of the vote (98,568 votes). Her opponent, Mike Van Horn, Sr., had 46.9% of the vote (87,175 votes).
Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano, however, was behind her opponent, Republican challenger Carl Ritchie. As of 11 p.m., Ritchie had 51.4% of the vote (95,770), and Graziano, a Democrat, had 48.6% (90,716).
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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
