County elections could bring big changes to council, school board - Charleston City Paper

Voters Shake Up Charleston County School Board and Council

Charleston County voters appeared to hand several incumbent leaders defeats in the November 3 elections, reshaping the local county council and school board. The outcome threatens to dismantle a long-standing majority faction on the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees that had steered the district through years of sharp debates.

Five seats were up for grabs on the school board, covering odd-numbered districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Board Chair Pamela McKinney, who represented District 3, chose not to run for reelection. Four of the seats contested on the ballot had been held by members backed in 2022 by the right-wing political group Moms for Liberty. Those members, alongside one other, had formed a majority that fronted controversial bickering and faction-line votes over the last four years.

The election results changed the makeup of the school board, which tilted away from its conservative center. In District 5, public school advocate Libby Tisdale unseated Moms for Liberty-backed incumbent Carlotte Bailey, capturing 63% of the vote compared to Bailey’s 36.1% with 69% of precincts reporting. In West Ashley’s District 7, education advocate Joy Brown held a tight lead with 34% of the vote, narrowly edging out Moms for Liberty-backed incumbent Leah Whatley, who finished at 33.4% with 63% of precincts reporting.

Meanwhile, other races maintained a degree of continuity. In District 1, covering East Cooper, Keith Grybowski held onto his seat. Grybowski had been backed by Moms for Liberty in 2022 but has publicly stated he answers to no political group. In District 3, newcomer Bethany Nemitz secured the seat previously held by McKinney, campaigning on fiscal conservatism, diplomacy, and transparency. In District 9, incumbent educator Carol Tempel—the only returning trustee not backed by Moms for Liberty in 2022 who was running for reelection—defended her seat on James Island with about 60% of the vote against challenger Karen Luhrs.

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Tight Races on County Council

Changes also loomed over the Charleston County Council, where multiple incumbents faced fierce challenges. In District 8 on Johns Island, Republican incumbent and County Council Chairman Joe Boykin trailed Democratic challenger Charles Glover, who held about 50% of the vote with 88% of precincts reporting. Boykin sat close behind at 47.3%.

In District 1, Republican Herb Sass held a slim edge with 51.4% of the vote against Democratic challenger Katie Miller, who pulled 48.5% with 68% of precincts reporting. District 9 in West Ashley guaranteed a new face on the council after incumbent Jenny Honeycutt vacated her seat to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. Democratic candidate Jaxie Ferguson led Republican Adam Friend 52.4% to 47.4% with 82% of precincts reporting. Meanwhile, Republican Larry Kobrovsky in District 2 and Democrat Teddie Pryor in District 5 ran unopposed.

Sales Tax Referendum Passes After Prior Defeat

Voters also weighed in on three ballot questions aimed at funding infrastructure, parks, schools, and public transportation through a half-cent sales tax extension. All three measures cleared hurdles with more than 90% of precincts reporting.

Question 1 authorized a 25-year extension of the half-cent tax to collect up to $4.25 billion for roads, transportation, and greenbelts, winning roughly 65% approval. Question 2 backed the issuance of $300 million in general bonds backed by that tax revenue. Question 3 secured a 68% approval rate for a 1% special sales tax dedicated to education and capital improvements.

The successful votes stand in sharp contrast to the resounding defeat of the county’s sales tax referendum in 2024. The new proposal avoided the contentious Mark Clark Extension project for Interstate 526, clearing the path for billions of dollars to redirect toward smaller, localized infrastructure upgrades across the county.