Local Radar

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Write-in's make marked showing in county council races

web posted November 8, 2006

COUNTY – Edgefield County voters went to the polls today to cast their ballots on five Constitutional amendments and elect county leaders. With almost 7,000 voters turning out countywide and two challenges to county council seats the Edgefield County Courthouse saw councilmen, challengers, other hopefuls, and supporters awaiting election officials announcing the results. Election Commission member David Satcher read off the tallies as they came in from polling precincts.

As the results came in all incumbents were returned to office, though County Councilmen Everette Kitchens and Joel Hudson were obviously a bit nervous by the hard work put in by challengers Rodney Ashcraft and Dennis Zachow respectively.

Mr. Ashcraft, who announced this past Saturday he was seeking to unseat Councilman Kitchens, garnered 22% of the votes cast in the District 2 race. Mr. Ashcraft said he was pleased with the vote totals and would be seeking a full challenge in the 2008 race. “With these kinds of numbers I don’t see how I couldn’t.” noting Mr. Kitchens had the last two years to campaign for re-election. “I feel like I have a duty to do it.” Mr. Ashcraft said he was going to start his campaign immediately and would be “knocking on doors and meeting more people in the district” in a move to remove councilman Kitchens.

Most political observers and media outlets agreed that the 22% vote total was impressive for a three-day campaign.

District 5 Councilman Joel Hudson also saw a write-in campaign by Dennis Zachow who was able to garner 33% of the votes in the district. Mr. Zachow said he also intended to seek another challenge in ’08. “I’m happy”, he said, “Getting on the ballot in the primary will be the key next time.” A move echoed by Mr. Ashcraft as important.

Councilman Joel Hudson said he was pleased with the turnout and wanted to thank those who turned out to support him in spite of the recent uproar over the reassessments. “I don’t do this because I like it,” he said, “I do it because I want to serve the people.”

Councilman Kitchens did not comment on race.

In the Governors race Democratic challenger Tommy Moore won Edgefield County though falling well short on the state level in his challenge to Governor Mark Sanford. Sen. Moore took the advantage locally with 4094 votes to Gov. Sanford’s 2723.

An official tally of the votes will be available to the public on Friday and those will be published on Saturday. Election Commission member David Satcher said there were a number of votes for Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and God among others.
 


 

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