School board incumbent loses appeal for another election

School board incumbent Ronald Bessant, losthis final appeal in the Horry County School Board District 9 election in Columbia Wednesday afternoon before the State Elections Commission.

Bessant lost by just 121 votes in the Nov. 4 election. He filed an eight-point election challenge shortly after the general election, claiming that there were voting irregularities at several precincts as well as voter intimidation.

Bessant’s lawyer argued for a re-count, after they said there were complaints of voter intimidation, people voting in the wrong district and miscounted absentee ballots.

The Commission says that is still not enough evidence for a re-count and the results stand.

Bessant represented District 9 for the past 18 years.