Candidates file for Pee Dee races 2

Dillon County

Clerk of Court

n Gwen Hyatt

Age: 58

Hometown: Dillon

Family: Husband, Don Hyatt; a daughter

Party: Democratic

Education: Associate degree in business from Florence-Darlington Technical College

Experience: 16 years as clerk of court; previously deputy clerk for six years

Council District 1

n Macio Williamson (I)

Age: 60

Hometown: Dillon

Family: Wife, Margaret Williamson; two daughters and one son

Party: Democratic

Education: Associate’s in educational experience from Newtown Community College in Dillon

Experience: 25 years on county council

Council District 3

n Robert Archie Scott

Party: Democratic. Scott couldn’t be reached by press time.

Council District 4

n Aaron Gandy (I)

Party: Democratic. Gandy couldn’t be reached by press time.

Florence

Mayor

n Frank Willis (I)

Age: 66

Hometown: Darlington

Family: Wife, Marguerite Willis

Party: Democratic

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina

Experience: 13 years as mayor, previously appointed to Florence County Economic Development Authority (now Florence County Economic Development Partnership) for five years

n Stephen J. Wukela

Age: 32

Hometown: Florence

Family: Wife, Laura Wukela; three sons, Stephen, 4, Thomas, 2, and William, 5 months

Party: Democratic

Education: Juris doctor from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from Clemson University

Experience: Ran unsuccessfully against state Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, in 2004

Council (two at-large seats)

n Thurmond Becote

Age: 54

Hometown: Florence

Family: Wife, Linda C. Becote; six children

Party: Democratic

Education: Associate degree in computer technology from Florence-Darlington Technical College

Experience: Serving a first term on Florence School District 1’s Board of Trustees

n Bobby Holland (I)

Age: 64

Hometown: Florence

Family: Wife, Anne Holland; son, Robert Holland III

Party: Republican

Education: Master’s degree in business management from Webster University in Myrtle Beach; bachelor’s degree in general studies from Francis Marion University; associate degree in civil engineering from Florence-Darlington Technical College

Experience: 13 years on city council

n Steve Powers

Age: 52

Hometown: Jacksonville, N.C.

Family: Wife, Susan Powers; son, Jason Powers

Party: Democratic

Education: Studied psychology at the University of South Carolina in Beaufort

Experience: Three years on the City of Florence Design Review Board (appointed; currently vice chairman)

n Octavia Williams-Blake

Age: 35

Hometown: Florence

Family: Husband, Charlie Blake; daughter, Hannah Ryan, 2

Party: Democratic

Education: Law degree from the University of South Carolina, bachelor’s in public affairs and history from Columbia College

Experience: Appointed by Gov. Mark Sanford to the S.C. Commission for the Blind

n Glynn Willis

Age: 58

Hometown: Chesterfield

Family: Wife, Sandra B. Willis; two children, Lauren, 17, and Glynn Willis Jr., 35

Party: Republican

Education: Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Coker College, associate’s degree from Wingate College, graduate of the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy’s Highway Patrol Training Class

Experience: 11 years on Florence County/Municipal Planning Commission (chairman since 2004); one year on Florence City Planning Commission before commission consolidated with the county

n Rick Woodard (I)

Age: 47

Hometown: New Bern, N.C.

Family: Wife, Jean Ann Woodard; a son and daughter

Party: Republican

Education: Bachelor’s in business administration from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.

Experience: 13 years on city council, served on Florence airport commission

Florence County

Clerk of Court

n Connie Reel-Shearin (I)

Age: 51

Hometown: Lake City

Family: Husband, Tom Shearin

Party: Democratic

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of Charleston

Experience: Two terms as clerk of court; 28½ years total in clerk’s office

Treasurer

n Dean Fowler Jr. (I)

Age: 58

Hometown: Florence

Family: Wife, Gail Fowler; a son, Dean Fowler III; daughters Melody and Deanne; twin grandchildren

Party: Republican

Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of South Carolina

Experience: Serving second term as county treasurer

Council District 2

n Ken Ard (I)

Age: 44

Hometown: Pamplico

Family: Wife, Tammy; children Jesse, 17; Mason, 16; Libby, 4

Party: Republican

Education: Attended Wofford College; graduated from Hannah-Pamplico High School

Experience: Serving first term on county council

Council District 4

n Mitchell Kirby (I)

Age: 52

Hometown: Timmonsville

Family: Wife, Gaye Kirby; two daughters and seven grandchildren

Party: Democratic

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Francis Marion University

Experience: 16 years on county council

n Kenny McAllister

Party: Democratic. McAllister could not be reached by press time.

Council District 5

n Johnnie Rodgers Jr. (I)

Age: 52

Hometown: Scranton

Family: Two sons; one daughter; two grandchildren

Party: Democratic

Education: Lake City High School graduate

Experience: Six years on county council (one full term, completed unexpired term of John L. “Dinky” Miles)

n James A. Wilson

Party: Democratic. Wilson could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.

Council District 9

n Dr. Morris Anderson (I)

Age: 71

Hometown: Timmonsville

Family: Wife, Ann Anderson; three children: Hank Anderson and Catherine Vann, attorneys, and Neil Anderson, a teacher

Party: Republican

Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia; preveterinary studies at Clemson University

Experience: Serving first term on county council, Florence School District 1 Board of Trustees from 1979-85, two terms as Florence County Republican Party chairman in the 1960s

Marlboro County

Clerk of Court

n Bill Funderburk (I)

Party: Democratic. Funderburk couldn’t be by press time.

Treasurer

Name: Delorice Barrington

Age: 54

Hometown: Blenheim

Family: Husband, Jerry Barrington; a son, daughter and stepdaughter; one grandchild

Party: Democratic

Education: Associate degree in business from Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College (now Northeastern Technical College)

Experience: 12 years as county treasurer; previously served 12 years as county auditor

Council District 2

Name: Willie Gladden

Party: Democratic

Gladden could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.

Name: Jeff Quick (incumbent)

Party: Democratic

Quick could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.

Council District 3

Incumbent Mickey Rogers is not seeking re-election.

Name: J.P. Dowd Jr.

Party: Democratic

Dowd could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.

Name: Ron Munnerlyn

Party: Democratic

Munnerlyn could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.

Council District 5

Name: Carolyn Price (incumbent)

Party: Democratic

Price could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.

Council District 6

Name: Ken Allen (incumbent)

Party: Democratic

Allen could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.

Name: Verd Odom

Party: Democratic

Odom could not be reached to provide additional information by press time.