CONWAY — David Cox beat Helen Mason Smith in the June 28 Republican runoff contest for the Horry County Board of Education chairman position.
Cox, who holds the District 4 seat on the Horry County Board of Education bested Smith, a former board chairman and retired cosmetologist, by a margin of 57% to 43%.
Cox, 70, of Myrtle Beach, has served on the school board since 2008. He told The Post and Courier June 2 his experience on the board, while representing two different districts sets him apart from the other candidates.
“I believe it’s best for the students and staff to have someone leading the board who is familiar with school board procedures, the individual desires of parents and teachers throughout the county and the experience of dealing with the many changes that have been thrust upon us as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic,” Cox said.
Cox also received a majority of the votes during the June 14 primary election, but he did not receive the required 50% or more of the vote which would have staved off a runoff.
Cox will run unopposed in the November election.
Several School Board candidate races during the June 14 primary election.
In the District 2 contest, Republican Debbie Edmonds won with 53% against incumbent Sherrie Todd, who received 47%. This district represents Myrtle Beach to nearly Briarcliffe Acres.
In District 3, incumbent Republican Tracy Winters won with 54% defeating challenger Lorraine Mallon, who received 46%. This district includes Carolina Forest up to U.S. Highway 501 and International Drive.
For District 6, Pam Dawson won the GOP party nomination with 71% against Lyn Bondi, who received 29%. Dawson will run against Libertarian Steve Witt in the November election. This district follows along U.S. 17 Bypass South and S.C. Highway 707, and it includes Socastee and Longwood Island.
In District 8, Incumbent Republican Melanie Wellons won with 63% against James Berry, who received 37%. This district follows along U.S. Highway 501 and nearly reaches Socastee.
For District 10, Republican Neil James received 57%, winning against David Warner, who received 43%. This district stretches from the county line up to S.C. Highway 31, and it includes many rural areas of the county.
The other board seats included Districts 1 and 7, but those candidates — Republican David Koch and Democrat Incumbent Janet Graham — ran unopposed. District 1 includes Little River and North Myrtle Beach, and District 7 includes Conway to the county line.
Follow Nicole Ziege on Twitter @NicoleZiege.
