Beaufort County Election Results: A Recap of the Votes
Beaufort County is buzzing with excitement after the recent elections, where many familiar faces secured their seats and a few newcomers joined the ranks. Let’s dive into the highlights, shall we?
House of Representatives: Turning the Tide
In District 122, the Republican incumbent Bill Hager fended off a challenge from Democratic hopeful Audrey Hopkins-Williams. With 11,223 votes or 53.5%, Hager solidified his position while Hopkins-Williams trailed with 9,708 votes (46.3%). Meanwhile, in District 123, Jeff Bradley celebrated another victory, gaining 13,567 votes for a solid 61.29% against Lisette Cifaldi, who received 8,561 votes (38.6%).
Reelections Galore
It was a strong night for incumbents, as evident from the District 120 race, where Weston Newton racked up 14,068 votes (a whopping 67.9%) to defeat Kate Creech. Over in District 118, incumbent Republican Bill Herbkersman also clinched victory against newcomer Charity Owens.
A Look at the County Council
Beaufort County saw a continued Republican presence in the council with Logan Cunningham holding off Democratic challenger Dr. Sarah McCarty in District 7, receiving 6,093 votes (67.2%). But the spotlight turned towards the highly anticipated Penny Tax, which voters ultimately decided against, opting not to raise funds for roads and infrastructure. The future may involve discussions around property tax increases or other methods to address ongoing needs.
Unopposed Wins
In a smooth sailing election, Duffie Stone will be serving his fifth term as the circuit solicitor, after winning 100,282 votes (97.7%) without opposition. Likewise, there were unopposed victories for coroner, with Deborah Ann Youmans earning 71,907 votes (99.3%), and for the clerk of court, where Jerri Roseneau secured 71,498 votes (99.2%).
Town Council Decisions
The Hilton Head Town Council saw its own share of victories last night, with incumbents Alex Brown and Melinda Tunner securing their spots alongside returning council member Steve DeSimone.
The Beaufort Mayoral Race
Incumbent Mayor Phil Cromer narrowly defeated Josh Scallate in a hotly contested race. Cromer received 3,085 votes, or 57.1%, compared to Scallate’s 2,269 votes (42%).
Big Races in Districts
In District 1 of Beaufort County, Gerald Dawson fought off competition to stay in his position with 3,606 votes (57.8%). In another nail-biter, former Jasper County Sheriff Chris Malphrus triumphed over current Sheriff Donald Hipp with just over half the votes.
Awaiting Final Tally
There were delays in vote counting due to a hiccup with the absentee ballot machine, pushing the final results back a bit. According to Marie Smalls, director of the county’s elections office, she aimed for final counts by 11 p.m. but ended up needing a little more time. Fortunately, early voting results are already in!
As Beaufort County breathes a sigh of relief post-elections, many are eager to see how these results will shape the community in the months to come. With familiar faces sticking around and critical issues on the table, it’s sure to be an engaging time ahead!
