Beaufort County Voters Split on Leadership Trust as Sales Tax Hike Fails Despite Incumbents’ Re-election

Beaufort County Voters Show Conflicting Sentiments at the Polls

In a puzzling turn of events, the charming Beaufort County recently witnessed a significant voter turnout, with more than 105,000 locals — that’s about 75% of all registered voters — braving the polls on November 5. But what happened when they got there has left many scratching their heads.

Re-elected Incumbents, But Sales Tax Hike Rejected

Beaufort County residents made two remarkable yet contradictory choices. On one hand, they decided to re-elect all three County Council incumbents without much drama. But just moments later, they flat-out rejected a hefty $950 million sales tax hike that the council had believed was a necessity. The underlying reason? A troubling skepticism surrounding the council’s ability to manage public funds, an issue they’ve faced head-on in recent years.

This distrust isn’t unfounded. The county has found itself on shaky financial ground, previously struggling with a $120 million tax increase approved back in 2018. Residents are rightly wondering why only 12% of planned projects (just four out of thirty-four) have been completed since then. Two projects are currently under construction, while twenty still lurk in the design phase. Even with promises of improved oversight and essential regional developments, voters just weren’t convinced.

A Tale of Two Counties

What’s perhaps even more striking is how Beaufort County differs from its neighbor, Jasper County, where voters approved a similar sales tax hike by a 10-point margin. The same inflationary pressures weighed heavily on both counties, suggesting that voters in Beaufort were silently nudged towards their decision by an overwhelming distrust of current council members.

The Incumbents’ Redemption? Not Quite

You’d think that rejecting their pet project would have consequences for the council. But, much to many people’s surprise, three incumbents were cozying their way back into office. Democrat Gerald Dawson clinched nearly 59% of the vote, Democrat York Glover glided through unopposed, and Republican Logan Cunningham won his seat with a 2-1 advantage against Democrat Sarah McCarty. So why did voters reinstate council members yet turn their backs on their proposal?

Distrust, Party Loyalty, and Community Connections

Some experts suggest that long-standing council members—especially Dawson and Glover, who have built up formidable community ties—simply managed to outshine their opponents. Moreover, many voters opted for straight-party voting, a sign that political affiliations often override local grievances. Council member Paula Brown, who has been a loud advocate for more transparency, expressed her understanding of the situation: “No one trusts the council, in my opinion.”

Learning from the Election Results

With results in hand, it seems some council members are starting to recognize the need for change. Brown, alongside fellow council members Tom Reitz and David Bartholomew, voted against placing the tax measure on the ballot. Reitz even commented afterward, “Not only do we not need more money, but we must finish what we have already started.” And this line of thought is being taken seriously—Bartholomew noted, “I know we need to do a better job of communicating with the public.”

A Hopeful Outlook?

When speaking about the election results, Dawson expressed gratitude for the continued support from his constituents, acknowledging the frustrations that come with public service. “There’s always some disagreement, as no one is perfect, and I recognize we didn’t do a great job explaining the 2024 referendum,” he stated. However, a hopeful note was struck when he expressed intention to improve communication and transparency moving forward.

As weary voters watch and wait for change in their local government, the question remains: Will the council prioritize better management of the taxpayer dollars in the wake of this latest vote? Time will tell, but for now, residents are intrigued, cautiously optimistic, and ready to continue voicing their opinions.