Staff Reports
In a stunning turn of events, Charleston, South Carolina has elected its first Republican mayor since 1877. State Rep. William Cogswell has emerged as the projected winner of the mayoral race, according to local media outlets. With all 91 precincts reporting, the unofficial election runoff totals reveal that Cogswell is leading with 51.04 percent of the vote, while incumbent Mayor John Tecklenburg trails behind with 48.96 percent. If these results are certified by the South Carolina State Election Commission, Cogswell will break a 146-year streak and become the city’s first Republican mayor in over a century.
JUST IN: South Carolina's Largest City Elects GOP Mayor After Overwhelmingly Going For Biden In 2020https://t.co/r08AIdzn5g
— 🇺🇸🇺🇸Josh Dunlap🇺🇲🇺🇲 ULTRA-MAGA (@JDunlap1974) November 22, 2023
In his victory speech, a jubilant Cogswell emphasized the need for unity and vowed to represent all Charleston citizens, including those who supported his opponent. With confidence, he declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, I can confidently say I am going to be the next mayor of the city of Charleston.” Cogswell went on to outline his vision for a “smart, safe, and sound” direction, which garnered cheers from his supporters. He emphasized the importance of putting the needs of residents first and finding pragmatic solutions to the city’s problems. With gratitude, he thanked his supporters and expressed excitement about the future of Charleston.
This election result breaks the Democratic stronghold in Charleston County, which voted for Joe Biden with a significant margin of almost 13 points in 2020. It’s clear that the tides are shifting, and residents are embracing a change in leadership. As Charleston welcomes its new Republican mayor, it will be interesting to see how Cogswell’s conservative policies and ideas shape the future of the city. With a focus on putting citizens first and finding pragmatic solutions, Charleston may indeed be heading towards a new direction under Cogswell’s leadership.
