Ballots Counted: Republicans Hold Steady and New Faces Emerge in Beaufort County Elections

Balls, Votes, and Celebrations in Beaufort County!

Beaufort County, your ballots have been counted, and the results are in! Election Day this year turned out to be an exhilarating ride, with incumbents holding onto their seats, newcomers stepping up, and, of course, the anticipated clashes of political titans under the beautiful South Carolina sun.

Winners and Incumbents: A Glorious Day for Republicans

Bill Hager, the Republican incumbent, fought hard and emerged victorious in the race for the South Carolina House of Representatives District 122. With 11,223 votes or 53.5%, he outpaced Democrat challenger Audrey Hopkins-Williams, who garnered 9,708 votes or 46.3%. What a thrilling contest!

Not too far behind, Bill Herbkersman also tasted sweet victory in District 118 by defeating Charity Owens, a fresh face on the Democratic side. The precincts spoke loud and clear with herbkersman pulling in the votes—he secured 14,068 votes or an impressive 67.9%. Way to go!

And you guessed it! Republican Logan Cunningham has kept his position in Beaufort County’s District 7. He beat out Democrat Dr. Sarah McCarty by a considerable margin, receiving a whopping 6,093 votes (that’s 67.2% for those counting!). The winds of change? They remained still in Cunningham’s corner!

Unopposed and Proud: Margie Bright Matthews and Duffie Stone

On another note, the beloved Democratic incumbent Margie Bright Matthews was reelected without any challengers! She claimed a staggering 31,405 votes, which is an eye-popping 97.7% of the electorate across several counties—talk about voter confidence!

Over in the courtroom, Duffie Stone is ready to take on his fifth term as the 14th Circuit Solicitor after running unopposed and earning 100,282 votes (that’s 98.8% of the votes—he must be very popular in these parts!).

Election Excitement in Beaufort City Council

The city council seats brought an electric atmosphere! The incumbents ruled the day as Mitch Mitchell and Neil Lipsitz snagged the spots for Beaufort City Council after a competitive race, with Mitchell raking in 2,554 votes (28.7%) and Lipsitz not far behind at 2,314 votes (26%).

In the mayoral race, Phil Cromer clung to his title and sailed past challenger Josh Scallate with a score of 3,085 votes (57.1% to Scallate’s 42%). And the local council kept their leadership stable, which means continuity in leadership for Beaufort’s future.

Surprising Turns andTechnical Troubles

Not all outcomes met expectations. The anticipated Penny Tax, aimed at raising funds for critically needed infrastructure improvements, was rejected by voters. Suggestions now loom about potential property tax increases as a different solution. What will the council decide to do next?

However, the election night didn’t come without hiccups—some technical troubles delayed results as the county faced counting machine misadventures. But voters remained patient as precincts came through one by one.

Looking Forward

Lastly, it looks like Beaufort County has held onto its conservative heart, with Republican candidates claiming a significant share of the vote. The 2024 elections showcased excitement, anticipation, and even some last-minute surprises as the dust settles after another busy day.

So, now it’s time to celebrate those victories, acknowledge the hard work of all candidates, and recognize the important role of voters in this wonderful community. Until next election, Beaufort!