Mix of new, old faces elected in Darlington County races

By: Candace Jarrett/Morning News | SCNow
Published: November 06, 2007

Municipal elections throughout Darlington County ended Tuesday night with a few surprises.

The Society Hill races were heated, with a few candidates running on platforms of bringing about change in town government.

Three council seats were open, and two new representatives were elected.

Newcomer Valencia Brewington received the most votes, 142, but had not returned phone calls seeking comment by press time Tuesday.

Fellow newcomer Deborah Harrell won another open seat with 120 votes.

“The people are not being served in Society Hill, and I think that I could do a better job,” she said. “I’m very ecstatic and looking forward to working with the council members that were voted in. It’s a new day.”

Les Baker was the only incumbent councilman to be re-elected. He received 124 votes. Incumbent Tom Gaskins got 71 votes, incumbent Zenobia Newton got 111 votes and Carol Davis received 88 votes.

“I was pleased with the turnout and I take it as a compliment (being re-elected),” Baker said. “Hopefully, this reflects the decisions I’ve made on council these past four years. I’m looking forward to (working with a new council) and having a change and, hopefully, accomplishing a lot more.”

The seats are for four-year terms.

In neighboring Darlington, voters re-elected all three incumbents to the three open at-large city council seats that were open. The winners will serve four-year terms.

“I thank the voters of Darlington for their support and vote of confidence,” said councilwoman Dyan Cohen, who garnered 492 votes. “I will work very hard for the people of Darlington in the next four years.”

Councilman Wayne Chapman received 409 votes and councilwoman Annette Thomas received 382 votes to retain their seats.

“I certainly am mighty happy with the way the election turned out,” Thomas said. “I’m glad that the people have placed their confidence in me for another four years. God delivers and I’ll do my best to live up to the people’s expectations.”

Challengers Rujon Williams received 283 votes and Beatrice Wilson, 181. There also were six write-in votes.

Two council seats were open on Lamar Town Council, but only one person filed to run. That person was William Reynolds, who received 95 votes.

“I am very excited,” he said. “I was sheriff for a while a few years back and I had gotten to the point where I was missing public service. I can’t wait until January 2008.”

Mike Lloyd was a write-in candidate on the ballot. He received 81 votes. He said he wasn’t surprised he won the second available council seat.

“I was asked a while back if I would consider a write-in campaign,” he said. “You know, you can’t really control the voter’s hands, so I said, yeah. I was on council 15 years ago, so this’ll be another turn at it and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Other write-ins candidate included Geronelle Bradley, Jim Newsom and Helen Mitchell. Each received two votes. Write-in candidates Edith Josey and Apell Alexander received one vote apiece, as well.

Mix of new, old faces elected in Darlington County races

Share This:

More from this channel:

Reader Comments

Deal of the Day

Weather

Latest News Video

Things to Do

Links We Like