ISLE OF PALMS, South Carolina – Voters on both the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island responded following the municipal elections on Tuesday, November 4th, culminating in a mayoral runoff on one island and a council shakeup on the other.
On the Isle of Palms, incumbent Mayor Phillip Pounds received 48% of the vote with 939 ballots cast, falling just 20 votes shy of the 50 percent plus one required to win. Council member Scott Pierce finished close behind with 886 votes, or 46%, forcing a runoff between the two on Tuesday, November 18th.
Incumbent Mayor Phillip Pounds stated that, while he was exhausted and frustrated, there was no clear answer tonight, and that he thinks his reputation from his previous term will help with voter turnout in the runoff.
“We had a fantastic resident attendance tonight. The ultimate figure was probably about 60%. Unfortunately, runoff elections have a low turnout. And, you know, it’ll just be about getting out the vote in a few weeks. “We’ll see what happens,” Pounds stated.
“I’d also like to say that I hope the turnout in two weeks is as strong as it is now, and that voters come to the polls and express themselves,” said IOP Mayor Candidate Scott Pierce.
While the mayor’s contest continues, voters elected four at-large members to the IOP City Council: David Cohen, Bev Miller, Katie Miars, and incumbent John Bogosian.
The new members will join the council as it continues to address issues like beach erosion, short-term rental laws, and long-term public safety financing.
“You’ve come to the point where there is no council involvement. At the moment, there are just two contenders for mayor. So voter turnout is essential in determining who will lead the island. I hope that the record speaks for itself. Runoff elections are always close, particularly in the states, and the outcome is usually 50/50 or one way or another. “We just ask people to stay engaged and to vote again in two weeks,” Pounds said.
Meanwhile, across Breach Inlet on Sullivan’s Island, voters chose island leaders. Mayor Patrick O’Neil retains his seat; he technically ran unopposed but faced a close campaign with a write-in candidate, Brian Hellman.
Melanie Burkhold and Laura Schroeder, both rookies, won at-large council seats. Justin Novak was re-elected, but current council members Scott Milliment and Gary Visser lost their seats.
The Isle of Palms mayoral runoff election will be held on Tuesday, November 18th.
