Spartanburg County elections 2022 primary: Councilman Jack Mabry wins

2022-06-15 12:13:05 By : Ms. Ada chen

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All three incumbent Spartanburg County Councilmembers won their Republican primaries Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

With all precincts reporting, voter turnout was 12.31% countywide, with 24,448 of 198,653 registered voters having cast ballots Tuesday.

With 100% of the precincts reporting, incumbent District 2 Spartanburg County Councilman Jack Mabry had 1,862 votes, or 52.26%, and challenger O'Neal Mintz had 1,701 votes, or 47.74%.

"I want to thank everybody who came out and voted, whether for me or O'Neal," Mabry said, "I want to thank the good Lord I was able to pull it out, and my family and friends. I know what we need to do. We'll make some changes, but be mindful of what we do have and the resources."

With 100% of the precincts reporting, incumbent District 5 Spartanburg County Councilman Bob Walker had 2,275 votes, or 54.13%. Jeffrey A. Horton Jr. was second with 1,375 votes, or 32.71%. Louis Nespeca was third with 553 votes, or 13.16%.

"I can't thank the constituents in District 5 who voted for me enough," Walker said. "I pledge I will be a full-time councilman that believes in our citizens and our needs. It makes me feel good there are people who support me and want me to be their leader."

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In County Council District 6, with 100% of the precincts reporting, incumbent Republican Councilwoman Jessica Coker held off challenger Alex Turner. Coker had 1,726 votes, or 53.84%, and Turner had 1,480 votes, or 46.16%.

"I'm disappointed in the low turnout, but I can understand it, being June and people are on vacation," Coker said. "The weather also played a critical role, being so hot. But I am proud to have won the support of District 6 voters and look forward to getting back to work."

Earlier Tuesday, candidates spent the last day of campaigning visiting with voters at precincts, where overall turnout was low.

Walker, who operates an insurance agency in Landrum, said he visited all 13 precincts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in search of votes and to thank poll workers.

"I know it's a close race from everything I can determine," he said.

Horton, an insurance and financial adviser, said he's been out to the precincts since 7 a.m., and just finished his last day of campaigning at 5 p.m.

"At the end of the day, we've run a good campaign," Walker said. "I feel good. Win or lose, I've had a blast."

Nespeca said he voted early at his precinct, Landrum High School. He said he's received positive feedback from voters throughout the day, and that turnout "seems to be light."

On his chances of winning, he said, "It's hard to crack the establishment, the incumbents. Most people don't realize these elections are won in the primaries."

A runoff in District 5 is possible if none gets more than 50% of the vote.

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In District 6,  Coker, a certified public accountant, said turnout appears to be better than the special election she won in 2020 to serve the remainder of Roger Nutt's term. Nutt left County Council after winning the District 34 seat in the state House of Representatives.

She said she campaigned at 10 of the district's 19 precincts, meeting friends, and family and shaking hands with voters.

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"I'm cautiously optimistic," Coker said. "I'm hopeful I will get another four years."

Coker faces a Republican primary challenge from newcomer Turner.

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In District 2, incumbent Mabry, who operates a Boiling Springs insurance agency, said there are many issues that are prompting voters to come out, including roads and growth in the Boiling Springs area.

"It's hard to tell," he said of his chances of being reelected. "The biggest thing is getting folks out to vote."

His Republican primary challenger, Mintz, was at the Lake Bowen Baptist precinct late Tuesday afternoon to greet voters just getting off work.

"I didn't run any polls, but I'm told it's 50-50," said Mintz, who owns Mintz Scrap Iron and Metal in Boiling Springs, and a former county councilman said. "If I win I'm fine, if I lose I'm fine."

The primary winner will face Kathleen Wright of the Constitution Party in the Nov. 8 general election. Wright had no primary challenger Tuesday.

This is a developing story. Check back to goupstate.com for more election results.