Myrtle Beach picks up a new face, sends 2 others to run-off for city council seat

Voters in South Carolina’s fastest growing city added a new face to its city council and set two others to a run-off on Tuesday, picking from a field of eight with varying political backgrounds.

With 14 of 14 precincts reporting, political newcomer Debbie Conner took 19 percent of the vote, while incumbent Michael Chestnut took 18 percent, according to unofficial results set to be certified on Thursday.

Conner’s 2,531 votes topped the field. Chestnut was close behind at 2,397.

Incumbent John Krajc was separated from challenger Bill McClure by just 49 votes, setting them up for a Nov. 21 run-off battle.

“I thank the voters of Myrtle Beach for giving me another four years to serve the city I love and am dedicated to,” Chestnut said in a Tuesday text message.

City leaders are set for a busy agenda into 2024 as Myrtle Beach’s arts and innovation district continues to evolve. Officials will also have to determine the fate of minor league baseball and prioritize spending in areas including public safety and infrastructure.

As the state’s tourism hub, Myrtle Beach holds significant economic sway and is undergoing a major transformation of its downtown into an arts and innovation district expected to infuse millions of private investment over the next decade along with the creation of affordable housing and a dynamic, tech-centered workforce.

Questions about how much public money should go into that concept are certain to emerge over the next several years as the city faces a shortage of more than 50 police officers, aging roads and omnipresent large-scale commercial development.

This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 8:45 PM.