Horry County voters proved that a solid conservative foundation can weather even a strong Democratic tide. Unofficial returns show Republicans winning every contested county‑council race, all three contested school‑board contests, and holding every Republican seat in the local State House delegation except one.
County Council: A Clean Sweep
All seven incumbent council members kept their seats. Four ran unopposed – Chairman Johnny Gardner, Jenna Dukes (District 1), Michael Masciarelli (District 8) and Al Allen (District 11). The three contested races featured the new Forward Party, but its candidates fell far short, with the best showing at roughly 30 % of the vote. The council remains entirely Republican, a clear sign that voters trust the party’s stewardship of local services.
School Board: Republicans Gain Ground
Seven of the twelve Board of Education seats were on the ballot; only three were contested. Republican Sonya Sasser unseated Democratic incumbent Janet Graham in District 7 with 51.83 % of the vote, making her the sole challenger to defeat an incumbent. With Graham’s loss, the board will have no Democratic members. Republicans David Koch and Tracy Winters also won comfortably in Districts 1 and 3, and three additional Republicans were elected unopposed.
State House: One Loss, Many Victories
The only Republican defeat was former Democrat‑turned‑GOP legislator Lucas Atkinson in District 57. After switching parties, Atkinson lost to Democrat Cynthia O. Ford, who captured 51.6 % of the vote. The margin reflects the difficulty of winning over a new base while retaining former supporters. All other Horry‑area House members won re‑election, though several saw their margins shrink compared with 2022 – a natural effect of the statewide Democratic surge.
What the Numbers Reveal
In 2024, President Trump carried Horry County 69 % to 30 %. This cycle, with about 95 % of votes counted, showed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Darline Graham winning the county 60.1 % to 38.5 %. That represents a swing of roughly 17 points in two years, yet Republicans still outperformed Democrats by a 22‑point margin on the overall ballot.
Republican margins in several State House races slipped – for example, Rep. Crawford fell from 72 % in 2022 to 63 % this year – but the victories remained decisive. The data demonstrate that Horry County’s conservative electorate remains deep enough to absorb a sizable swing and still dominate local contests.
Implications for the Future
The results send a clear message: Horry County’s Republican advantage is resilient, but complacency would be unwise. Down‑ballot incumbents with long records enjoyed enough cushion to withstand the shift, while newcomers or party‑switchers faced tougher odds. Maintaining strong community ties, emphasizing family values, and upholding constitutional principles will be essential for future GOP success in the Grand Strand region.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
