
Beaufort County Politics - An Overview
Political Overview
South Carolina has a strong legislature and a history of partisan shifts—from Democratic dominance in the 20th century to Republican control since the 1990s. It is currently a Republican trifecta (control of the Governor’s office and both chambers of the legislature).
For more information:
The State Government
South Carolina operates under a revised 1895 Constitution, amended frequently since 1970. The legislature is known as the General Assembly, composed of a 46-member Senate (4-year terms) and a 124-member House of Representatives (2-year terms).
Key statewide elected offices (4-year terms) include:
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Governor & Lt. Governor (run jointly)
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Attorney General
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Secretary of State
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Comptroller General
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Superintendent of Education
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State Treasurer
Legislative sessions begin each January. The Governor can veto bills, but vetoes may be overridden with a two-thirds vote. Revenue bills must originate in the House.
Voters do not register by party in South Carolina. They may choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary—but not both in the same cycle. Election info here.
Beaufort County Representatives
Federal Representation
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U.S. Senate: Lindsey Graham (R) and Tim Scott (R)
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U.S. House – SC-01: Covers coastal SC from Seabrook Island to the NC border, including much of Beaufort County. Current Rep:SC-1, Nancy Mace (R) District Map.
State Legislative Delegation for Beaufort County
Senators
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SD-43: George “Chip” Campsen (R)
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SD-45: Margie Bright Matthews (D)
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SD-46: Tom Davis (R)
Representatives
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HD-118: Bill Herbkersman (R)
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HD-120: Weston Newton (R)
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HD-121: Michael Rivers (D)
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HD-122: Shedron Williams (D)
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HD-123: Jeff Bradley (R)
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HD-124: Shannon Erickson (R)
Search for Your Legislators and Contact Information
Beaufort County Government
Structure: Governed by an 11-member partisan County Council under a Council-Administrator system. Council hires a professional administrator to manage operations.
Elected County Officials:
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Sheriff: P.J. Tanner (R)
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Treasurer: Maria Walls (R)
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Auditor: Jim Beckert (R)
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Probate Judge: Kenneth Pulp (R)
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Clerk of Court: Jerri Roseneau (R)
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Solicitor (14th Circuit): Duffie Stone (R)
Beaufort County Board of Education
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11 nonpartisan members, each elected by district to four-year staggered terms.
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Oversees 30 public schools and over 21,000 students
Towns Within Beaufort County
Bluffton
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Fastest-growing town in SC.
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Mayor + 4 nonpartisan Town Council members.
Hilton Head Island
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Pop. ~37,000 (150,000+ in tourist season)
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Mayor + 6 Council members, all nonpartisan.
Daufuskie Island
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Pop. ~650
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Governed locally by the Daufuskie Island Council.
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Elections held annually. Council website
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATiON
Elective Office Incumbent
US House SC District 1 Mark Sanford (R)
Senator Lindsey Grahm (R)
Senator Tim Scott (R)
STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS
Elective Office Incumbent
Governor Henry McMaster (R)
Lt. Governor Pamela Evette (R)
Secretary of State Mark Hammond (R)
State Treasurer Curtis Loftis (R)
Attorney General Alan Wilson (R)
Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom (R)
State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman
Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers
BEAUFORT COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
Elective Office Incumbent
State Senator District 43 George E. "Chip" Campsen III (R)
State Senator District 45 Margie Bright Matthews (D)
State Senator District 46 Thomas C. "Tom" Davis (R)
State Rep District 118 Wm “Bill” Herbkersman (R)
State Rep District 120 Wm Weston Newton (R)
State Rep District 121 Michael Rivers (D)
State Rep District 122 Shedron D. Williams (D)
State Rep District 123 Jeff Bradley (R)
State Rep District 124 Shannon Erickson (R)
BEAUFORT COUNTY COUNCIL
Elective Office Incumbent
Member District 1 Gerald Dawson (D)
Member District 2 D. Paul Summerville (R)
Member District 3 York Glover, Sr. (D)
Member District 4 Alice G Howard (R)
Member District 5 Brian Flewelling (R)
Member District 6 Joseph F. Passiment, Jr. (R)
Member District 7 Logan Cunningham (R)
Member District 8 Chris Hervochon (R)
Member District 9 Mark Lawson (R)
Member District 10 Lawrence McElynn (R)
Member District 11 Stewart H. Rodman (R)
OTHER BEAUFORT COUNTY OFFICIALS
Elective Office Incumbent
Sheriff P. J. Tanner (R)
Treasurer Maria Walls (R)
Auditor Jim Beckert (R)
Probate Judge Kenneth E. Pulp (R)
Solicitor Duffie Stone (R)
Clerk of the Court Jerri Ann Roseneau (R)
BEAUFORT COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Elective Office Incumbent
Member District 1 Earl Campbell
Member District 2 David R. Striebinger
Member District 3 William Smith
Member District 4 Tricia Fidrych
Member District 5 Richard Geier
Member District 6 Angela Middleton
Member District 7 Rachael Wisnefski
Member District 8 Cathy Robine
Member District 9 Christina Gwozdz
Member District 10 Melvin Campbell
Member District 11 Ingrid Boatright
TOWN OF HILTON HEAD
Elective Office Incumbent
Mayor John McCann
Council Ward 1 Alex Brown
Council Ward 2 Wm “Bill” Harkins
Council Ward 3 David Ames
Council Ward 4 Tamara Becker
Council Ward 5 Thomas W. Lennox
Council Ward 6 Glenn Stanford
TOWN OF BLUFFTON
Elective Office Incumbent
Mayor Lisa Sulka
Council (at-large seat) Larry Toomer
Council (at-large seat) Fred Hamilton
Council (at-large seat) Bridgette Frazier
Council (at-large seat) Dan Wood