By Paul Gable
Voters in the City of Conway will go to the polls Tuesday June 27, 2023 to elect a new member to city council in a special election runoff between Autry Benton and Kendall Brown.
Brown led Benton by a 428-401 margin in the first round of voting June 13, 2023. However, 462 votes were cast for three other candidates who were knocked out in the first round. The first round of voting saw 1,297 ballots cast, approximately 9% of the registered voters in the city. All registered voters are eligible to vote in the runoff regardless of whether they participated or not in the first round of voting.
Brown, an African-American candidate, drew approximately 61% of his votes from Racepath #1 and #2. two predominantly African-American precincts in the city, as well as early voting. Benton’s support was more widely spread among the city’s 13 voting precincts. He also outdrew the other three candidates in the Racepath precincts.
Both candidates said they were reaching to all citizens in the city for support.
“I am working hard to meet the needs of all citizens,” said Brown. “I want to make positive changes for all.”
“I don’t see color, just citizens of Conway I hope to serve,” said Benton. “My voters included every type of ethnicity, economic and job background in the city.”
The question of how to move forward on the former Whittemore Park Elementary School site will be one issue waiting for the new council member. Originally built in 1953 as a school for African-American students in the Jim Crow segregation era, the building has served several purposes for Horry County Schools over the decades since before being damaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and more recently suffering considerable damage in a March fire.
In December 2022, Rev. Cheryl Adamson of the Whittemore Racepath Historical Society asked the city to donate the building to the society in order to “develop affordable housing in the city of Conway, a place to memorialize our sacred history, and a place to have business enterprises, community recreation and entertainment venues.” However, city council put any plans for the site on hold after the March 2023 fire.
Brown said he was interested to find common ground with those who have dreams for the site. “I will put the citizens first and work in the best interests of the many,” Brown said.
Benton noted Whittemore Park is important to the history of many groups in the city, including his own history. He said the city did the responsible thing by deciding to take a break on any decision on the site.
“I will make sure the city is responsible with public funds.” Benton said. “Whatever the final decision, Whittemore Park needs to be memorialized for what was good for the many groups with history there.”
Both candidates said they are ready to step in to do their part on council business, if elected.
“I have kept up with most issues,” said Brown. “There may be a few small areas where I need to come up to speed.”
“I feel I am the best man and 100% the most qualified (to fill the vacant council seat),” said Benton. “I’ve spent over a year attending or viewing council meetings and keeping up with issues affecting the city. If I’m elected the City of Conway won’t miss a beat.”
Speak Up…