Beaufort City Councilman Josh Scallate Files for Mayor
Beaufort, SC – The race for the Mayor’s office in Beaufort is heating up as City Councilman Josh Scallate threw his hat into the ring, filing to run for the city’s top office on the afternoon of Friday, August 14, 2024. The current Mayor, Phil Cromer, who took office in January the same year after winning a special election against Mike Sutton now has competition.
Transition of Power and Competition
The seat for the Mayor’s office became available after the resignation of former Mayor Stephen Murray in September 2023. Seeing the opportunity to step up and serve the community in a new capacity, Scallate made the decision to run against Cromer. Upon Scallate’s filing, Cromer applauded the council member’s decision, stating that a community always benefits when there are choices. Scallate mirrored these sentiments, expressing his belief that the community deserves to have options in deciding who will represent them.
Having served as a City Council member since December 2022, Scallate’s run for mayor comes after gaining significant experience and understanding of the local government and its importance to the community. “One of the main reasons I decided to run for mayor is because I have learned a lot about how important local government is while on City Council. They believe that our community deserves to have a choice when deciding who will represent them,” Scallate said.
City Council Race & Deadline for Applications
As the mayoral race warms up, the competition for City Council seats is following suit. Four individuals have expressed their intention to serve on the City Council; incumbents, Mitch Mitchell and Neil Lipsitz have filed for re-election alongside newcomers, Josh Gibson, and Julie Crenshaw. As of the afternoon of Tuesday, August 14, no further applications have been filed for the City Council or the mayoral race.
The filing deadline for both the mayoral position and the City Council seats is August 15. As a critical element of local governance that directly impacts the community, these positions’ elections take center stage in the city’s political proceedings.
A Race that Invigorates Community Interest
Residents of Beaufort can look forward to an election that promotes choice and competition, ensuring that their elected representatives are dedicated to serving their needs. Councilman Scallate’s bid for mayor echoes the city’s commitment to democracy and the well-being of its community members. As the filing deadline approaches, the city’s residents eagerly wait to see the full lineup of those who will vie for these critical positions, shaping the future of Beaufort.
