By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Election Commission voted not to uphold the voter registration challenge made by Sarita Bethea against James “Hoghead” Campbell in the Dillon County District One election.
Bethea had presented a complaint letter about the matter on Wednesday, November 2nd, prior to the November 8th general election. The matter was heard on Friday, November 11th.
Members of the commission are Chairman Wil Brown, Mary Davis, Martha Driggers, Richard Calhoun, Melissa Thompson, Amy Cardwell, Michael Grice, Dorothy Carmichael, and Lee Herndon.
Bethea’s argument was that Campbell does not and did not at the time of the election reside in Dillon County Council District One as required by the S.C. Election Commission. A document she read from that came from the S.C. Election Commission started that a candidate must be a resident of the district at the time of the election. She said he has not met the residency requirement.
Bethea said that Campbell owns a house in District One, but prior to and at the time of the election that he was renting the house to Terry and Shantel McRae and was residing at 1927 Russell Court, where she said he was living for several years.
Bethea said all she was asking for was fairness and that she was the only qualified candidate.
She had a private investigator who had followed Campbell from the Friday before the election. Tim Compton, the private investigator, presented photographic and tracking evidence which indicated that Campbell was residing on Russell Court. He said during the time he followed Campbell that Campbell never went to 403 Lewis Street, which he claims as his address.
David Watson, who represented Campbell,  said that Campbell met was required in 7-1-25 in the S.C. Code of Laws in regards to domicile. He showed Campbell’s voter registration card, income tax return, driver’s license, and mortgage, which list Campbell’s address as 403 Lewis Street.
He likened Campbell staying at Russell Court as to someone with a vacation home in Santee or at the beach. He also pointed out that Campbell’s wife had stayed at 403 Lewis Street on occasion.
Terry McRae, who is currently staying in the home, said that he was remodeling his own home and had no intention of staying there permanently.
After the evidence was presented, the board went into an executive session. When they came out, they had a voice vote. Chairman Brown said the majority was clear not to uphold the challenge, and the meeting was adjourned.
However, this created confusion amongst the audience as to the fact that it was unclear how the members voted or how many voted in favor or against.
Brown stated that a roll call vote was not requested, and therefore, one was not taken.
The Herald does not know all members who voted for or against so in fairness to all members, we list none here nor do we have a count; however, we will gladly print any member’s vote who wishes to make it known. Please contact us if you wish to do so.