The results are in: Here are the winners, losers from Horry County city, town elections
Your voices have been heard.
Yet, soon some of you will need to make your political preferences known again.
Municipalities and towns across Horry County are moving toward the next era of representation in their respective offices — even though in some cases run-offs will be required — following election night on Tuesday.
Voters flocked to the polls Tuesday, with voting ending at 7 p.m., and here is how the elections panned out for each area city and town:
Myrtle Beach
Two incumbents will remain on the Myrtle Beach City Council as one councilwoman could be ousted in a potential run-off election.
In the race for three open seats on the Myrtle Beach City Council, unofficial election votes tallied Tuesday night have councilmen Phil Render and Mike Chestnut receiving enough votes to keep their seats.
Chestnut was the top vote-getter, capturing 2,594 votes, while Render followed closely behind with 2,427.
Render said it’s a good day for Myrtle Beach as he gears up to serve his fifth term on the council. Chestnut, who remained ahead throughout the night, will also serve a fifth term.
“I feel great,” Chestnut said. “The voters have spoken, and I just feel excited and glad they saw fit to vote me back in again.”
There could be a potential run-off election between councilwoman Mary Jeffcoat and community activist John Krajc, with the former receiving 2,145 votes and the latter gaining 2,010 votes.
“There’s probably definitely going to be a run-off between the two of us, and it’s not a surprise,” Jeffcoat said. “We had seven really strong candidates running for three seats and you keep doing the math and it was not unexpected. So we run into the next phase, which is the run-off and I think I’m in really good shape for that.”
As for the remaining candidates, former councilman Wayne Gray obtained 1,756 votes, while former mayoral candidate Ed Carey received 1,491 votes, and retired business owner Charles Gasque got 525 votes.
The Election Commission will meet on Thursday at 10 a.m. at City Hall to certify the election results and determine the validity of ballots challenged in the election.
North Myrtle Beach
The North Myrtle Beach City Council will remain the same as three incumbents coasted to another term, according to unofficial election results.
In the race for Crescent Beach, Councilman J.O. Baldwin captured 1,727 votes to beat challenger Ed Ramey, who received 644 votes.
For the at-large race, councilman Hank Thomas was reelected with 1,684 votes, while challenger Greg Richardson trailed with 700 votes.
“I am very humbled by the win. I could not have done it without the support of the community,” Thomas said. “My focus is to do what is right for North Myrtle Beach. I cannot imagine living in any finer community. Even though we have grown tremendously, we are still a home town city.”
Councilman Fred Coyne, who represents Cherry Grove, ran unopposed, but still captured 2,175 votes.
The Election Commission will meet at City Hall on Thursday at 10 a.m. to certify the election and determine the validity of any ballots challenged in the election.
Conway
One incumbent and one challenger secured seats on Conway City Council and a run-off election will need to be held, according to the official results certified Wednesday morning.
With seven candidates vying for three open seats, incumbent Larry White — who earned the most votes with 1,244 — and newcomers Alex Hyman (1,051) and Justin Jordan (781) received the most votes.
Randy Alford (659 votes) and Jordan will have a run-off election in two weeks.
Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy, who was running unopposed, garnered 2,173 of 2,252 votes that included write-ins to gain another term.
Tom Anderson (651), the other incumbent running, Barbara Eisenhardt (617) and Liz Gilland (533) came up short of securing a seat.
Surfside Beach
Election night for the Town of Surfside Beach proved to be a mere precursor to more voting drama.
The race for mayor and the filling of three town council seats will both go to a run-off, according unofficial election results.
In the mayoral race, Planning Commission chairman Bob Hellyer received 416 votes, narrowly edging former councilwoman Julie Samples with 404, leaving a margin of error that will require a run-off. Councilman David Pellegrino finished with 286 votes.
“After seeing the results of the election last night, I was excited that the residents of our town have shown they want a change in our government,” Hellyer said in a Facebook post.
Four people vying for three council seats will also require a run-off.
Paul Hoder obtained 488 votes, with Michael Drake and Zoning Board member Cindy Keating slightly behind, with the former receiving 444 votes and the latter 443. Kathryn Martin received 433 votes.
Keating said she was humbled by the support of the voters, adding the results of the run-off will be a “game changer” for Surfside’s future.
“I believe the voters of Surfside has spoken up for change and for comment sense,” she said. “I remain optimist that I will be chosen to stand up for Surfside and bring a bright future to the Family Beach.”
Drake also feels he stands a good chance of winning a seat on the council following the run-off.
“The residents are ready for a council who represents them,” Drake said. “(It’s) time for their voices to be heard.”
Others vying for town council Tuesday night were: Laurence McKeen (395), Jenn Cribb (378), Laverne Kreklau (330) and Planning Commission member Cody Sluder (64).
This story was originally published November 5, 2019 at 9:59 PM.
