Horry County’s probate judge is stepping down. Who’s running to fill her seat?
Horry County Probate Judge Kathy Ward plans to step down from the bench when her term ends later this year, meaning her judicial seat is wide open.
The two-term judge announced her retirement earlier this year.
So far, only one candidate has announced a run for the position: Assistant Probate Judge Allen Beverly.
Beverly has secured the endorsement of a high-ranking Horry County official: 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson.
The county probate court hears cases on wills, issues marriage licenses and adjudicates the estates of the deceased. The court also hears cases relating to the estates of minors and people who are incapacitated.
Beverly is running for the seat as a Republican. An attorney by trade, Beverly grew up in Conway and is married with children. Ward hired him into his current position in 2019 after he’d worked in private practice for 15 years.
He’s also taught business law classes at Horry-Georgetown Technical College and has served on the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
“Serving as Probate Judge is a calling I am passionate about,” Beverly said in a news release. “The citizens of Horry County need a Probate Judge who is fair, understanding, knowledgeable, experienced and will be available for support and help during difficult times.”
Beverly praised Ward as an “excellent mentor and leader in this community.”
In his endorsement of Beverly, Richardson praised Ward as a one-of-a-kind.
“There will never be another Judge Ward,” he said. “However, Allen Beverly has studied under her as Assistant Probate Judge and is ready to bring the same drive, compassion and honesty to Horry County.”
Beverly said he was “deeply humbled and honored” and “incredibly grateful” for Richardson’s endorsement.
Other candidates could file to run the race. The filing period for elections opened Wednesday and closes at the end of March.
Beverly has retained Conway-based political operative Donald Smith for assistance with his campaign. Smith also works with Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner and 7th Congressional District candidate and school board Chairman Ken Richardson.
Voters head to the polls to vote for Congress, county chairman, school board chairman, probate judge and other positions on June 14 during the statewide primary election.
