[UPDATED] Five of six Charleston City Council races in November will be contested with two longtime incumbents — Robert Mitchell and William Dudley Gregory — facing what may be tougher-than-usual competition.
Only council member and attorney Mike Seekings, who represents downtown District 8, will face no opponents in election filing that ended noon Monday for the Nov. 4 nonpartisan general election. Odd-numbered council seats and the mayor’s office next will be up for election in 2027.
Incumbent Caroline Parker, who represents James Island in District 12, is not running for reelection.
In Mount Pleasant, incumbent Mayor Will Haynie will face two challengers — Irvin Evans and Curt Thomas, a retired Air Force officer and former state trooper.
Nine candidates, including incumbents John Iacofano, Gary Santos and Mike Tinkey, are vying for four seats on town council. Newcomers include Alexandra Crosby, nurse anesthetist Jenny DeSart, entrepreneur Brianna Harmon, lifelong resident Perry Rourk, Craig S. Russack and Kathryn Whitaker. The top four vote-getters will win the seats.
In Charleston, competitive races include:
- District 2: Incumbent and insurance agent Kevin Shealy will face political newcomer Abraham D. Champagne in this seat that represents voters in West Ashley.
- District 4: Longtime incumbent Robert Mitchell will face three challengers: creator/futurist Suzanne Allen, nonprofit executive Aaron Polkey and past candidate Luqman S. Rasheed in this peninsular seat that includes
Hampton Park,Charleston Neck neighborhoods and the Eastside. - District 6: Veteran incumbent William Dudley Gregorie will face Charleston restaurateur Ben D’Allesandro
and health care consultant Sarah Spanglerin this Westside district on the Peninsula. (Updated: Spangler dropped out Aug. 27.) - District 10: Incumbent Stephen Bowden will face civil engineer William Connor in West Ashley.
- District 12 [updated]: Three newcomers will face off for the seat — nonprofit CEO Leslie Skardon, marketing professional Deanna Miller and Annette Begner, all of James Island. With the council’s only woman being Parker, the race between the three women ensures at least one woman will be on council after November.
- Read City Paper surveys filled out by Charleston council candidates
Other area elections
In Hollywood, filing closed Aug. 18 in Hollywood for three seats. Three candidates filed: Brian Groveman, Genea Mitchell and Dawn Watson.
In McClellanville, longtime Mayor Rutledge Leland III will face no opposition. Four candidates filed by the Aug. 15 deadline for four council seats: newcomer Malcolm Baldwin and incumbents Christopher Bates, Robert J. Gannon and Jim Scott.
The filing periods have not closed in several other races:
- Awendaw: Filing is Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 for mayor and three council seats.
- Folly Beach: Filing is Aug. 22 to Sept. 5 for mayor and three council seats.
- Isle of Palms: Filing opens Aug. 29 and closes Sept. 8 for mayor and four council seats.
- James Island: Filing closes Aug. 25 for three council seats.
- Kiawah Island: Filing closes Sept. 2 for mayor and two council seats.
- Lincolnville: Filing closes Aug. 22 for mayor and three council seats.
- Meggett: Filing closes Aug. 29 for two council seats.
- Ravenel: Filing closes Aug. 22 for three council seats.
- Rockville: Filing closes Sept. 2 for mayor and four council seats.
- Seabrook Island: Filing closes Sept. 5 for mayor and four council seats.
- Sullivan’s Island: Filing closes Aug. 21 for mayor and three council seats.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.