Williamsburg opens floodgates for Obama

By David Green
The Weekly Observer Editor
Published: November 5, 2008

KINGSTREE - Seventy nine per cent of the voters - the largest turnout in memory of local election officials - voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. Obama garnered 11, 257 votes compared to John McCain’s 4, 989. Obama’s coattails also pulled Democrat Bob Conley to 10,095-5,640 local victory over Lindsey Graham for one of the South Carolina Senate seats (although Lindsey won the statewide race).

In the local House (District 6) race, longterm incumbent gained 11,638 votes to Republican Nancy Harrelson’s 4,225 (Clyburn won the entire district 6
race).

The only contested South Carolina race was in District 64 which includes western Williamsburg and Clarenden Counties. In Williamsburg, Democratic incumbent Cathy Harvin gained 563 votes to challenger Britton S. Pruett’s 180. Results for the Clarenden County part of District 64 were not available as of yet.
Other state house posts were held by unchallenged incumbents John Yancey McGill (Sen. 32), Ken Kennedy (House 101), and Carl Anderson (House 103) who were all easily elected against a few write-in votes.

In local offices, there were three school board races. Joe Lee held his seat 1,039, against Theresa McCray Graham, 766 for the northeastern part of the county (Dist 1). Incumbent and also board chairman James Darby (Dist. 3) was beaten 1,099 to 1,040 by challenger Kent Evans. Likewise Lucille Scott lost her seat 893 - 857 to challenger Charles T. Garner for District 7. Three councy council members were returned to their seats with no opposition; these were Harry Lee Darvy (Dist. 3), Eddie Butch Woods, Jr. (Dist. 4), and Andy McKnight (Dist. 5).

Also returned unopposed were Sheriff Kelvin C. Washington, Probate Judge Rudell M. Gamble, County Clerk of Court Carolyn F. Williams, Coroner Harrison McNight, Jr. and Soil and Water District Commissioer Brian McClam.

South Lynches Fire District trustees had three candidates for 2 positions. Of these E. Ronald Dennis had 381, Linward C. James, Jr. 300, and Cheryl P. Sauls 233.

In the presidential race, Observer area precinct Hemingway went to Obama, with 569-366, Nesmith 350-32, and Indiantown 628-152.

Muddy Creek favored McCain 334-174, Poplar Hill/Henry was close with McCain leading 158-155. In the school board race Lee and Graham were very close, except in the Muddy Creek Precinct, which gave Lee an easy victory with 362-69.

In other area races the following results were obtained at press time:

Johnsonville City Council (three at-large seats) (1 of 1 precinct)
n Edith Cain ... 65
n Lisa Ann Cox ... 205
n Diane S. Marsh (i) ... 264
n Carl B. Skinner (i) ... 290
n Dale Strickland (i) ... 330
n Jack Smith ... 103
n Tom Stasney ... 177
Pamplico Town Council (three at-large seats) (2 of 2 precincts reporting)
n Cynthia Parks (i) ... 215
n Lucius B. Eaddy (i) ... 233
n Thomas Benton (i) ... 257
n Harriet Cox ... 231
n Frank M. Munn Jr. .... 140
n Ricky Hardee ... 174