COASTAL OBSERVER

A week before the start of early voting, the Georgetown County Republican Party questioned whether a Democrat seeking a seat on Georgetown City Council can serve if elected.

At issue is a guilty plea Jessie Walker entered in 2009 for forgery, which is a felony.

Under the state Constitution that would prohibit her from holding office for 15 years. The time was up in July, but Walker filed as a candidate in March, one of three Democrats challenging three incumbent Republicans in the November election.

“We believe convicted felon Jessie Walker is not someone who should be an elected official in a position of public trust,” Karol Anderson, who chairs the GOP, said.

The GOP created a website with Walker’s court documents.

Marilyn Hemingway, who chairs the Democratic Party, said the 15 years “has been up.” She called the GOP’s call for an investigation a misleading waste of time and taxpayer money.

“Jessie M. Walker has paid her debt to society,” Hemingway said.

Walked didn’t answer questions at a press conference, but quoted John 8:7, “those who have not sinned, let them cast the first stone.”

Hemingway said she was aware of Walker’s criminal history. She said the GOP effort was the work of Tom Swatzel, a political consultant who is a former county GOP chairman.

“I took the time to research the Democrat city council candidates and found that Jessie Walker was convicted of felony forgery, credit card fraud and fraudulent checks. I also found that all three candidates, which includes Sharon Melton and Hobson Milton had unpaid loans that were foreclosed. I couldn’t believe the Democrats had not vetted their candidates more carefully and that their leadership embraces and defends these highly questionable resumes,” Swatzel said in a statement.

The situation is politics as usual to Sheldon Butts, former City Council member and member of the county Democratic Party executive committee.

“This is just a tactic,” he said. “Jessie’s going to be fine.”