On Tuesday the strength of the Democrat armor weakened when a Republican pulled off a narrow win in a seat held by Democrats for decades. The win was a point of celebration, and positive headlines, heading into the holiday season. Former Republican representative William Cogswell took down incumbent Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg by 569 votes during a runoff election. Mayoral races are in the city are officially nonpartisan, but the city’s mayors since 1877 have all been Democrats.
From The Daily Wire:
“The people have spoken and we’re ready for a new direction,” Cogswell said. “A new direction that’s smart, safe, and sound. A new direction that puts our citizens and residents first.”
Cogswell, who was in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2017-2022, said he wants the focus of that new direction to put aside labels aside in an effort to find solutions to problems.
This was a classic Blue vs. Red test in the election. Cogswell was endorsed by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) while Tecklenburg found support from Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC). Tecklenburg conceded on election night. He previously won re-election in 2020 with more than 60% of the vote.
Despite a tough campaign, the mayor-elect was humbled by the voters’ choice.