Republican candidate William Cogswell has emerged victorious in Charleston, South Carolina's November 21 runoff election, making him the first Republican to hold the mayoral seat since 1877.
According to the Post and Courier, Cogswell secured 51 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent John Tecklenburg.
The election results were closely contested, with the city limits spanning across Charleston and Berkeley counties. Tecklenburg managed to secure a narrow victory in Charleston County, winning by a margin of just 153 votes. However, Cogswell gained a significant lead in Berkeley County, surpassing Tecklenburg by 722 votes. Ultimately, Cogswell secured a total of 569 more votes than his opponent, avoiding the need for an automatic recount.
Cogswell declared his victory at approximately 8:45 pm, and shortly after, Tecklenburg conceded defeat. "The people have spoken, and we're ready for a new direction," Cogswell stated. He expressed his enthusiasm for the future of the city, saying, "I am excited about the future of our city."
Although the mayoral office is nonpartisan, both candidates have ties to political parties. Tecklenburg identifies as a Democrat, while Cogswell has served as a Republican in the Statehouse.
Cogswell's campaign centered around three key priorities: smart growth, safe communities, and sound governance, all aimed at prioritizing the needs of local citizens. In a Facebook post celebrating his victory, Cogswell expressed his gratitude to the people of Charleston.
He wrote, "Thank you, Charleston. To all who voted for me, I am beyond humbled and look forward to earning the trust and support of each and every resident as we come together to make this city the best it can be. It was a hard-fought campaign, and I couldn't be more grateful for my family and team over the past year and a half for getting me to this point. But today, the real work begins. Let's do this, Charleston!"
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