Updated, 10:15 a.m., 11/6/24 | The Charleston County School District Board of Trustees will have three new faces after Tuesday’s elections. But the balance of power does not appear to have shifted after two years of being dominated by a majority faction of trustees backed by right-wing political group Moms for Liberty (M4L)
Incumbent Ed Kelley, a M4L-backed board member, lost his District 2 seat in the East Cooper area to challenger Carolina Jewett after his term was embroiled in several controversies. Jewett secured 11,889 votes (56.9%); Kelley received 8,990 (43.1%).
“Ultimately, these positions should not be political in any way,” Jewett said in an Oct. 14 report. “When you make a decision, it should be based on what’s best for all of our children, not whether it’s a Democratic or Republican policy. That just doesn’t belong in the classroom, and it’s going to really hurt our school system.”
In North Charleston’s District 4, voters elected former board trustee Kevin Holinshead to take over for Courtney Waters, who did not run for reelection. Hollinshead secured 3,873 votes (53.9%), edging out his opponent, Craig Logan, who received 3,310 votes (46.1%).
In the western part of the county in District 6, however, Daron Lee Calhoun II lost his seat to Michele Leber, wife of Republican state Rep. Matt Leber, who coincidentally won a state Senate seat. Michelle Leber received 6,392 votes (48.7%), while Calhoun got 4,879 votes (37.2%). Samuel Whatley II trailed behind with 1,857 votes (14.1%). School board races don’t have runoffs.
Finally, incumbent Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson won her bid for reelection in the Hollywood-Ravenel area in District 8. She received 8,672 votes (46.2%). Runner-up Michelle Faust received 7,043 votes (37.5%), and Charles Glover received 3,049 votes (16.2%).
School board members serve four-year terms. In 2026, five seats will be up for consideration
GOP’s Ritchie elected to be new sheriff
In a high-profile county race, former Mount Pleasant Police Chief Carl Ritchie edged incumbent Democrat Kristin Garaziano by a 2.7% margin. Ritchie, a Republican, garnered 106,614 votes (51%) to Graziano’s 101,043 votes (48.3%).
Other Charleston County races of note:
- 9th Circuit Solicitor (Berkeley and Charleston counties): Scarlett Wilson (Republican, incumbent): 181,548 (57.2%); David Osborne (Democrat): 135m605 (42.7%).
- Charleston County Council, District 3: Rob Wehrman (Democrat, incumbent): 10,781 votes (55.9%); Hayden Seignious (Republican): 8,494 votes (44.1%).
- Charleston County Council, District 4: Henry Darby (Democrat, incumbent): 11,127 votes. Uncontested.
- Charleston County Council, District 6: Kylon Middleton (Democrat, incumbent): 15,243 votes. Uncontested.
- Charleston County Council, District 7: Brantley Moody (Republican, incumbent): 12,902 votes (55.1%); Sydney Van Bulck (Democrat): 10,515 votes (44.9%).
- Charleston County Coroner: Bobbi Jo O’Neal (Republican, incumbent): 111,490 votes (54.2%); Frank Broccolo (Democrat): 94,182 votes ( 45.8%).
- Charleston County Treasurer: Mary Tinkler (Democrat, incumbent): 109,632 votes (53%); Mike Van Horn Sr. (Republican): 97,163 votes (47%).
Uncontested Charleston County elections included:
- Clerk of Court: Julie Armstrong, 146,705 votes.
- Auditor: Peter Tecklenburg, 143,710 votes.
As of 9 a.m. Nov. 6, according to the South Carolina Election Commission, all of the county’s precincts were reporting. For full results, visit scvotes.gov.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.