Former Horry chairman makes it official: Mark Lazarus running to get old job back
Former Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus has made it official: He’s running to get his old job back.
In a news release Monday, Lazarus announced he would seek the Republican nomination for council chairman in this year’s June primary.
Lazarus held the job from 2013 to 2018, replacing U.S. Rep. Tom Rice after he was sworn into Congress. Lazarus, who won an election in 2014, was ousted from the job in 2018, losing to political newcomer Johnny Gardner.
Gardner’s tenure has been marked by “infighting and turmoil,” Lazarus said in his news release, referring to various lawsuits and unrest the council has dealt with under Gardner.
Upon entering office, Gardner was investigated by state law enforcement and led an effort to oust county administrator Chris Eldridge.
The state later dropped it’s investigation of Gardner, but he admitted to state ethics violations last year.
Gardner has also seen the county go to court with Myrtle Beach over its hospitality fee and over the sale of campground land.
Several bouts of infighting among council members have also occurred in recent years.
County Council member Johnny Vaught has also announced a run against Gardner this spring.
The Sun News first reported in January that Lazarus was considering running for his old job.
Lazarus said he would take Horry County’s growth “head on” by investing in police services, bolstering infrastructure to prevent flooding and improving local roads.
He touted the completion of International Drive while he was in office, as well as voters’ approval of the county’s RIDE III road-building program.
“The rapid growth we’ve experienced these last four years is great for the economy, but county government hasn’t kept up with the increased demands from residents for better roads, traffic relief, and better paying jobs,” Lazarus said.
Prior to entering politics, Lazarus ran several successful businesses, including Wild Water & Wheels, Myrtle Waves, and the Myrtle Beach Grand Prix.
He’s also served on county council representing part of the downtown area of Myrtle Beach.
Currently, Lazarus works as a sales executive for Waccamaw Land & Timber Company, which is involved in development.
As chairman, Lazarus helped dedicate county funding to Interstate 73, though that plan later locked the county and Myrtle Beach in a years-long court battle.
Lazarus noted that he was able to save county firefighter jobs when a federal grant expired, and said he was instrumental in starting the county’s litter pick-up program.
He also highlighted that he “worked in unity with the council and fostered a spirit of partnership with neighboring municipalities for the betterment of all residents of Horry County.”
In a January interview with The Sun News, Lazarus questioned the usefulness of the county’s impact fee, one of Gardner’s signature achievements in office.
He also signaled support for widening S.C. 90, which has become a key issue for the county over the past year.
This story was originally published March 7, 2022 at 11:28 AM.
