Masked ICE agents who terrorize immigrant communities. National Guard troops deployed into blue states for little reason. A federal government in shutdown mode because Congress and the President can’t play in the Washington sandbox.
These current national political experiments with dysfunction may have a trickle-down effect in municipal elections on Nov. 4. Why? Because while local voters might feel they have little impact nationally, they can easily head to the polls on the first Tuesday in November and make their voices heard to make a bigger-than-usual difference.
In fact, this season’s municipal elections feel even more important than usual. Five of six Charleston City Council seats are competitive. Nine candidates are vying for four seats in Mount Pleasant, where the incumbent mayor is also on the ballot. Other smaller communities also are fielding dozens of candidates.
This year, candidates are facing a common theme — how local government can work, including issues of how they will confront secrecy and bolster transparency. With these issues in mind, here’s a look at our 2025 endorsements in Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
Charleston City Council
(UPDATED: Read surveys completed by Charleston council candidates)
District 2: No endorsement. Candidate Abraham Champagne, however, admits there “have been some efforts to sidestep transparency, which I do not agree with and will question if elected.”
District 4: Aaron Polkey, a native newcomer to elective politics, says he’ll support private council sessions within the narrow confines of state law and “object when scopes of discussion stretch Freedom of Information Act beyond its good-faith intent.”
District 6: Ben D’Allesandro, a well-known local businessman who says he’ll oppose irresponsible development. “I believe transparency is essential to public trust. … Our business should be conducted in the open.”
District 10: Stephen Bowden, a first-term incumbent who says “we all need to strive for transparency in our decision-making at all times.” Let’s give him another term to speak out more often against secret, private sessions.
District 12: Leslie Skardon, a newcomer with a track record of positive nonprofit work, wants more focus on James Island. She also believes public input is critical in decision-making: “I would hope we use executive sessions minimally and only when justifiably necessary.”
Mount Pleasant races
(UPDATE: Read surveys completed by Mount Pleasant candidates.)
Mayor: No endorsement. While we believe incumbent Mayor Will Haynie has done a good job, there’s no endorsement in the race as none of the mayoral candidates completed a City Paper survey.
Town council: Out of nine candidates, we endorse just three for the four seats that are open: Incumbent Mike Tinkey and newcomers Jenny DeSart and Kathryn Whitaker. DeSart, in particular, has a top priority to make sure town government is transparent. Whitaker says she’ll push for clear communication by the town with residents and business owners.
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