November Beaufort County Council elections offer hope of more open government, less drama

Ethics investigations, spending irregularities, procedural failures and possible criminal wrongdoing all wrapped in secrecy and hidden behind the walls of ‘executive sessions’ have been the themes of the county’s council for the majority of the recent 15 months.

Now two of the council members who have resisted transparency efforts related to the county’s spending abuses will face challengers in the upcoming November election. Gerald Dawson and Logan Cunningham, both of whom were among the majority that blocked newer council members’ calls for more public access to the county’s dealings, now must navigate public anger and frustration as they seek to keep office.

A third member of the majority, York Glover, is unopposed and will return to the council. Dawson, Cunningham and Glover were among a group of council members that went so far as to reject The Island Packet’s written request to go on and record and tell the public how they stood on the county’s controversial issues.

The council earned negative attention even before the firing of County Administrator Eric Greenway in July of last year.

• A financial improprieties scandal, including embarrassing allegations of the county administrator creating a job for and hiring a woman he was trying to date, and the purchase of $35,000 in blankets from a company owned by the husband of a deputy administrator all came to light in the wake of the firing.
• There have been multiple firings and resignations and even potential good news, such as the hiring of a new administrator, was clouded by a hiring process that excluded the public.
• Through it all, the consistent thread has been secrecy. A taxpayer-funded investigation resulted in a 30-page report has not been seen by anyone in the public, with council only just deciding to share it with law enforcement.
• Most recently, a powerful state grand jury subpoenaed the county for a variety of documents regarding purchases, a contract and the former administrator.

The incumbents and challengers

As election day draws closer, The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette will ask each candidate to fill out a Q&A that we will publish for our readers. Here’s who will be on the ballot:

District 1

Council member Gerald Dawson (D) has represented District 1 since 2005 and is looking to do so for another four years. If elected it would be his sixth term representing Burton and other northern Beaufort County communities. He has the longest tenure of any of the current council members.

Dawson said his primary focus has and continues to be economic development. He pointed to helping establish the Economic Development Corporation board and hiring an economic development director. He hopes to continue to bring “meaningful” and “well-paying” jobs to Beaufort County.

Adam Biery (R), an architectural project manager with Beaufort Design, Build, is one of two opponents in the way of Dawson’s reelection- Biery’s campaign focuses on three main points, smart growth, fair distribution of funds and support for small businesses. Biery said that after nearly two decades of incumbency, he’s hopeful he can bring fresh ideas to council by representing district 1. This is his first run for political office.

Jevona Armstrong , who’s running under the Forward Party, is the other challenger to Dawson’s long-held seat. She’s a wife of a disabled veteran, a mother of three and a long-time educator, according to her biography on the Forward Party’s website. Armstrong is running on a platform of improving infrastructure, environmental sustainability and encouraging community development. This is her second run for political office after unsuccessfully running for the school board in 2020.

District 3

In District 3, York Glover (D) is running unopposed for reelection. He’s represented the St. Helena district since 2017 and, except for the rare chance of a write-in candidate getting more votes, is set to hold it until 2028.

District 7

In District 7, council member Logan Cunningham (R) seeks his second term representing the communities along Bluffton and Buckwalter Parkways. He says a second term would allow him to finish the promises he made when he first ran. Namely, Cunningham wants more recreational ball fields in Bluffton and to establish more workforce/affordable housing in the area.

He prided himself on helping establish hire base pay for Beaufort County teachers, helping get the 278 bridge project moving, pushing for the successful green space referendum and working to slow down growth through denying up-zonings.

Dr. Sarah McCarty (D), a former primary care physician and medical instructor, is opposing his reelection bid. She expressed concerns about infrastructure resilience, over-development, environmental impacts and wage disparities affecting local workers. This is her first run for political office.

Where to vote

Those looking to vote this November can find their district and polling place at SCVotes.gov . Once there, voters will need to show a valid form of ID including:

• SC Driver's License
  • Includes standard license and REAL ID
• SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
  • Includes standard ID card and REAL ID
  • Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
• SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
• Federal Military ID
  • Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
• US Passport
  • Includes US Passport ID Card

Expected turnout

In 2022, the last council election year, turnout for races averaged around 7,000 to 9,000 voters for contested races. Because 2024 also hosts a presidential election, it’s expected to see a higher turnout.

in 2020, Dawson and Glover ran unopposed, but the race for District 7 saw a turnout of just over 12,000 voters. Cunningham won with 64% of the vote.