Most Incumbents Hold Seats in Municipal Elections

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Most incumbents held their seats, and a few newcomers joined them in victory in Tuesday’s municipal elections in Anderson County.

In Belton, Mayor Eleanor Dorn ran unopposed. On Belton City Council, incumbents Tony Savilla (Ward 2), John Stephenson (Ward 4) were also unopposed, but in Ward 6 Ricky Campbell Jr. (incumbent), faces Tanasia McGlotten.

In Honea Path, Mayor Christopher Burton received almost 57 percent of the vote to defeat challenger Tina Maria Scott. Honea Path Town Council Ward 2 Sheila Caldwell and Ward 6 Jim Taylor are unopposed. In Ward 4 Marie Jenkins, with 172 votes, defeated incumbent Rebecca W. Robinson who got 132 votes and Marshall Culpepper with 117 votes.

In Iva, all races were unopposed returning the following to office: Mayor - Bobby Gentry; Council Ward 1 - Elmer Powell; Council Ward 2 - Dwayne Kelley; Council Ward 3 - Dallas Bottsl; Council Ward 4 - Paul Hart (Also serves as Mayor Pro-Tem).

In Pelzer Town Councilman Eddie Watts, got 45 votes to challenger Cruz West’s 35, and there were 41 write-ins.

In Pendleton, Town council Ward 2 Barbara D. Hamberg was elected to the seat vacated by retiring Sandra Gantt; Ward 4’s new Town Councilman is Jeff Van Drie, who with almost 55 percent of the vote, defeated Presley Bellinger-Kipling.

West Pelzer has a new mayor. After eight years in office Mayor Blake Sanders decided not to run again, and the town elected Councilman James R. Riddle as new mayor of West Pelzer. Town Council Tom Scarfo, incumbent, retained his seat with 57 votes, and Tim Williams received 48 votes to join council in the seat formerly held by Riddle.