McNeil wins June Primary

BENNETTSVILLE— Voter turnout in the Primary Election was low, clocking in at 20% in total turnout according to the unofficial results from the Marlboro County Voter Registration & Elections.

Of the 4,015 total votes cast, 906 were cast in the Republican Primary race and 3,109 were cast in the Democratic Primary race.

The Democratic Primary held the night’s biggest race with the Marlboro County Sheriff’s race on the ballot. Interim sheriff Larry McNeil faced former sheriff Fred Knight, and Bennettsville Police acting assistant chief Sammy Crosland for the nomination to face Charles English, the only Republican running for the office in November, and independent candidate James Paulding. In the unofficial results, McNeil won 51% of the vote.

“I think people have made a statement about who they want to be the future leaders of this community. I’m thankful that I am one of those people. I think my goals and the goals that we set at the sheriff’s office speaks volumes for where we are now. We look forward to continuing to work in this community as best as we can. I appreciate the confidence that they have in me and I thank God for the vision that he’s given me,” McNeil said Tuesday night.

McNeil was appointed as sheriff in December 2021 when former sheriff Charles Lemon was indicted on charges that included misconduct in office and assault and battery.

For the first time in 40 years, Marlboro County will have a new coroner. Bennettsville Police Investigator De’Aron Smith defeated long-time coroner Tim Brown with 62% of the votes. There isn’t a Republican candidate for the office.

“I think people are finally showing they want change,” Smith said Tuesday night. “There are other ways of doing things and we humbly showed what could be done and what can be done better.” Smith ran on a platform to make upgrades to the coroner’s office and bring transparency to the position. “The coroner was kind of one of those things that you that wasn’t on the forefront of people’s minds, so we educated the people on what the job entails and how we can do it and improve it.”

In the Marlboro County Council District 5 seat, Lafayette Jackson unseated Ken Stroman, who had been the district representative since 2020. Jackson garnered 68% of the votes from the district.

Jackson said he’s bringing fresh ideas to the county council and motivation. “I know a lot of people and hopefully we can bring a lot more networking and make Marlboro bright again and put it back on the map,” he said.

In the race for the State House of Representatives District 54 seat, Democrats Jason Scott Luck and Betty Jo Quick faced off to compete against Republican Sterling McDiarmid in November. Current District 54 representative, Patricia Moore Henegan, announced her retirement from office earlier this year. Luck won 53% of the votes in Marlboro County. District 54 includes Marlboro, Chesterfield, and Dillon counties.

“People are thinking,” Luck said Tuesday night. “They are picking someone based on arbitrary characteristics, they’re meeting people and talking to people.”

Luck said he plans to focus on economic development and health care if he wins the seat in November.

Other races:

Rep Solicitor Circuit 4:

Shipp Daniel 643

Mike Burch 236

Burch won the nomination with 54% of the vote across the state

Rep County Treasurer

Patricia Patty English 481

Ainsley A Moore 415

English will face Democrat Sharea Bracey in November

Rep County Council District 6

Verd Odom 235

Bobby Odom 109

Dem US House of Representatives District 7

Daryl W. Scott 1,793

Mal Hyman 822

Hyman will face Republican Russell Fry in November

Dem Clerk of Court

Marquita McLain 1, 531

Anita M. Joy Williams 1,454

Out of the 15,013 registered voters in the county, only 4,015 votes were cast during early voting, with absentee voting and on primary day. SC Votes reported that statewide voter turnout was at 13%.