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DATA SHOWS THAT THE LOWCOUNTRY CONTINUES TO GROW, VOTERS SELECTED CANDIDATES IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS, AND HILTON HEAD SET ITS BUDGET. HERE’S WHAT MADE NEWS DURING THE PAST MONTH:
MOSS CREEK PICKLEBALL
PRIMARY VOTERS PICK CANDIDATES Incumbent P.J. Tanner defeated challenger JoJo Woodward in the Republican primary for Beaufort County Sheriff. Tanner received 62.4 percent of the vote to Woodward’s 37.6 percent. For Beaufort County Council, in District 6 Tab Tabernik defeated Mike Covert (55.9 to 44.1 percent). In District 8, Paula Brown defeated John Zmarzly (55.4 to 44.6 percent). Incumbent Mark Lawson defeated Shellie West Hodges (67 to 33 percent) in District 9. Tom Reitz defeated incumbent Stu Rodman in District 11 (66.5-33.5 percent). David Bartholomew defeated incumbent Paul Sommerville (52.5-47.5 percent) in District 2. For the District 4 seat, incumbent Alice Howard defeated Josh Scallate (53.446.6 percent). Republican Eric Erickson won the District 121 primary over Timothy Swain (72-28). Democrat Michael Rivers Sr. defeated Marvin Bowens (87.4-12.6). 18 // H I LT O N H E A D M O N T H LY. C O M
David Cadd defeated Willie Turral in the primary for auditor (67.2 to 32.8 percent). Statewide, U.S. House District 1 Rep. Nancy Mace defeated challenger Katie Arrington, garnering 52.8 percent of the vote in Beaufort County. Joe Cunningham (78.1 percent in Beaufort County) won the Democratic primary for governor. He will oppose Gov. Henry McMaster, who won the Republican primary (85 percent). S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson defeated Bluffton attorney Lauren Martel in the Republican primary (55.3-44.7 in Beaufort County). LOWCOUNTRY TOWNS AMONG FASTEST-GROWING COMMUNITIES Bluffton and Hardeeville continue to grow. The U.S. Census Bureau released its 2021 population estimates by municipality which showed the state’s population grew 1.4 percent to 5.19 million residents in 2021 over 2020.
Bluffton ranks No. 1 and Hardeeville No. 8 among the fastest-growing cities based on population. “One interesting case of population growth is Hardeeville,” said Dr. Bryan Grady, Labor Market Information Director. “That city increased its population by one seventh in a single year and is the fastest-growing municipality in the state based on percentage.” Hardeeville saw a 14.3 percent increase; Bluffton’s went up 12 percent. TOWNHOMES PROPOSED FOR BLUFFTON The town of Bluffton’s planning commission approved a preliminary development agreement for new townhomes. The proposed development, Indigo Cove Townhomes, which is at the northeast corner of Bluffton Parkway and Buck Island Road, is set for 23 acres. It will consist of 83 single-family units. Developers will next present an updated agreement to the development review committee.
