COASTAL OBSERVER

Six candidates are vying for two of the seats on Georgetown County Council that are on the ballot in November. 

Democrats will hold a primary in District 3 in the southern end of the county. Republicans will hold a rare primary in District 4, which includes the city of Georgetown.

Voters in District 4 will have to choose between Jonathan Angner, a member of Georgetown City Council, and Ron Charlton, the son of a former County Council member, in the Republican primary in June.

Lillie Jean Johnson, a Democrat, is stepping down from the District 4 seat she has held since 2008. She also served on the council in the 1990s.

“I think my experience of owning my own businesses and my experience in helping to turn this city around as we have in the last three years, I look at it in the same way with the county,” Angner said. “I think I can bring a fresh mindset and positive, conservative mindset to the issues that the county is facing.”

“I felt the time was right,” Charlton said. “I grew up in this area. This is my home. I have a business here. I raised three kids here.”

The Republican candidate will face Hobson Henry Milton, a Democrat, who lost his seat on Georgetown City Council last fall.

In District 3, Council Member Everett Carolina will face off in a Democrat primary against Ernie Cooper Sr. and Aundry Evans. The winner will take on Craig Cumbie, a Republican, in November. 

The leaders of both county parties say they are happy to see enough interest to require primaries.

“The more choices the better,” said Karol Anderson, long-time chairwoman of the Republicans. “It should be interesting.”

“We listen to the people,” said Marilyn Hemingway, who was elected chairwoman of the Democrats last month. “If people want new leadership, then everyone has a right to run for office. We support full involvement with the political process.”

When Angner decided to run, Milton was the only candidate who had filed.

“I think you should earn it, whether municipal governance, or county governance, or statewide,” said Angner, who has served on City Council for two years. “I enjoyed my time with Hobson Henry Milton on City Council, but I don’t think anyone should just be able to walk into office without having to earn the confidence of the electorate.”

Charlton’s father, Ron, represented District 2 on County Council for 25 years until losing a re-election bid to Bob Anderson in 2020.

Anderson, a Republican, is unopposed for re-election in Council District 2.

“I knew Lillie Jean. My dad knew Lillie Jean. My dad served with her,” Charlton said. “When she decided she wasn’t going to run again, I felt this was my time and I felt I was at the age, and I have the opportunity and the time to do it and do what I can do for my community.”

The party leaders said they will do everything they can to get out the vote in June and November.

“We will be campaigning to get them out,” Karol Anderson said. “Use your choice.”

“People are concerned about the future of this country, they’re concerned about the future of Georgetown city and county and they want to be involved,” Hemingway said.

Two Democrats – Mal Hyman and Daryl Scott – will be vying in the primary to take on U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, a freshman Republican, in the 7th Congressional District. Fry defeated incumbent  Republican Tom Rice two years ago, picking up the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who Rice had voted to impeach.

State Sen. Ronnie Sabb also faces a challenger – Prinscillia Sumpter – in District 32 in the Democratic primary. The winner will run unopposed in November.

Sheriff Carter Weaver, a Republican, will once again face a challenge in November from Birt Adams, a Democrat. Adams has run for Georgetown County sheriff twice as the candidate from the Independence Party.

Other Republican incumbents running unopposed are: state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, District 34; Ken Baker, auditor; Miriam Mace, treasurer; Leigh Powers Boan, probate judge; Chase Ridgeway, coroner; and Raymond Newton, County Council District 5.

Democrats running unopposed are Alma White, clerk of court, and state Rep. Carl Anderson, District 103. 

Candidate filing for partisan elections ended at noon on Monday.

Filing for five seats on the Georgetown County Board of Education, which is nonpartisan, will open Aug. 1.

Up for re-election this year are Patti Hammel, District 1; Sandra Johnson, District 3; Randy Walker, District 4, and Bill Gaskins, District 5.

The District 6 seat held by Lynne Ford is also open. Redistricting in 2022 placed her outside the district.