Municipal elections were Tuesday. Your REALTORS® Association prepared a Voter Guide to help you evaluate the candidates and issues.
Now we have prepared an Election Report so you can easily check who won and lost, and who will be leading the city and town councils in the Western Upstate beginning in December. Download the Election Report by clicking here.
Around the Western Upstate, 15 cities and towns held elections for 5 mayors and 44 council and commission seats. Plus, there were ballot questions including the referendum on a penny sales tax for roads in Anderson County.
Anderson County ballot questions
Anderson County were asked to vote on whether zoning should be implemented in three precincts, and whether the county should collect an additional penny sales tax for road maintenance.
All three zoning referendums were approved.
The penny sales tax referendum was defeated by an overwhelming margin.
Realtors had a good day
Four Realtors were on the ballot, and they all won.
- Bob Fedder, broker-owner at Axcent Realty, was elected to Easley City Council.
- Charles Morgan, Realtor at Keller Williams Oconee, was elected to Westminster Town Council.
- Jimmy Powell, Realtor at Bob Hill Realty, was reelected to Westminster Town Council.
- Judy Shaw, Realtor at Blackstream International, was reelected to Six Mile Town Council.
Great job, Realtors!
Elections: where the new faces will be
Four cities in the Western Upstate will have new mayors in December. And 44 of the city council races produced 21 new councilmembers.
Pendleton: Long-time Mayor Frank Crenshaw was defeated by Sarah Stokowski. Pendleton also elected Nancy Von Meyer and reelected Lyn Merchant to City Council.
Pelzer: Chase Smithwick is the new Mayor, succeeding Mayor Will Ragland, who did not seek reelection. Incumbent City Councilmembers Mike Matthews and Donna Ide were defeated by Jason McElhannon and Michael Shirley. Greg Pellum was elected to a vacant seat on City Council.
Central: Mayor Pro Tem Ken Dill is the new Mayor, succeeding Mayor Andrew Beckner, who did not seek reelection. Doug Barry and Daniel Evatt were elected, replacing Robert Griffin, who did not seek reelection, and Sara Paige Hudson Bowers.
Seneca: Mayor Pro Tem Ronnie O’Kelley is the new Mayor, succeeding long-time Mayor Danny Alexander, who ran for City Council and won. The remaining incumbent City Councilmembers were reelected.
West Pelzer, Honea Path, Easley, Central, Walhalla, and Westminster all elected at least two new members to their city councils. Click here for the Election Report.
Support RPAC
RPAC helps provide these resources for Realtors. You can help your industry by supporting RPAC. It’s easy. Your association includes a voluntary contribution to RPAC on your annual dues invoice. Pay it, and you are an RPAC supporter. If you haven’t supported RPAC this year, I encourage you to do so by clicking here.
Michael Dey, Director of Government Affairs