Charleston County voters have 10 competitive local elections from which to choose leaders who can chart visionary courses for our future.
Perhaps the most important races are four slots on the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees, which has been roiled in controversy over the past two years after a full slate of new board members took office, including five put up by the uber-conservative, reactionary Moms for Liberty (M4L) political organization.
Now is the time to take the board’s majority power away from that right-wing faction to ensure the school board focuses on student outcomes, not outside national political agendas. Along those lines, it’s critical to reelect two reasonable trustees who have not wilted under two years of Moms for Liberty control — Daron Lee Calhoun II of West Ashley and Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson of Hollywood. Both will continue to fight for children.
To wrest control of the board away from uber-conservatives, restore reason and calm, and focus on governing, voters in East Cooper are encouraged to support Caroline Jewett
to replace M4L-backed Ed Kelley while North Charleston voters should fill an open seat by sending former trustee Kevin Hollinshead to serve again to help to fight secret agendas.
In other county races, we endorse:
- Scarlett Wilson for solicitor. While the race is lucky to have two seasoned professionals from which to choose, we give the nod to Ms. Wilson’s experience to keep bad guys in jail.
- Kristin Graziano for sheriff. Although a frequent target of political attacks, Graziano has worked to restore trust across the community and improve lagging services at
the county jail. Let’s give her four more years to refresh
old-timey structures that still need work. - Bobbi Jo O’Neal for coroner. A registered nurse, O’Neal has run the coroner’s office with impressive professionalism and transparency. More of the same needed.
- Mary Tinkler for county treasurer. A former S.C. House member with a zeal for public service, Tinkler brings boatloads of experience as a responsible steward of more than $2 billion in government assets. Her job is not yet done.
- Rob Wehrman for county council, District 3 (North Charleston to Mount Pleasant). Running for his second term, Wehrman is a seasoned lawyer who works for what most people want — responsible solutions to keep a high quality of life. He’s got reasonable priorities — housing affordability, traffic and flooding — that need more of council’s attention.
- Sydney van Bulck for county council, District 7 (West Ashley). A political newcomer, van Bulck has experience with government as a former teacher and current home renovation professional who “gets it” when it comes to local government. She wants to be a change agent in government to reduce the threat of flooding and improve critical infrastructure.
Election Day is Nov. 5. Make it count locally.
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