District 3 Republicans will choose Horry County Council nominee in Tuesday runoff

Myrtle Beach area Republicans will pick their nominee for the District 3 seat on Tuesday.

No candidate received a majority of the votes cast in the Nov. 3 primary, forcing a runoff between the top two finishers: Bob Kelly and Bubba Owens.

Kelly, a 59-year-old transplant from New Jersey, lives in Carolina Forest and has been campaigning on his background as a police officer. Although he’s offered no detailed policy proposals, Kelly said he plans to beef up the county police force, reduce crime and improve the relationship between city and county officials.

In the original four-man field, Kelly led all candidates with 40 percent of the vote.

The other candidate is Owens, a 48-year-old repairman who received 24 percent of the Nov. 3 vote.

A Myrtle Beach native, Owens has campaigned on his local ties and understanding of the community. Like Kelly, he’s offered no specific policy recommendations but insists the county can do a better job fighting crime and enhancing its police force.

Owens has also touted his support for a multipurpose government complex in downtown Myrtle Beach that would house state and local agencies and serve as a driver for redevelopment in the city.

Neither GOP candidate has ever held elected office.

Tuesday’s winner will face Democrat Jimmy Washington, who ran unopposed in the primary, in a Dec. 22 general election.

The race is being held to fill the seat vacated by Marion Foxworth, who stepped down in August to become the county’s register of deeds. Foxworth had held the post for nearly 14 years.

The district includes much of the city of Myrtle Beach and part of Carolina Forest.

This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 9:17 AM with the headline "District 3 Republicans will choose Horry County Council nominee in Tuesday runoff."