Voters within Kingstree District 5 will head back to the polls on Tuesday, November 17, after city council election results ended in a runoff for Seat 5. Incumbent Robert McKenzie and challenger Bubba Hammet, Jr. tied with 44 votes apiece in the November 3, election. Third challenger Jackie Robinson received 9 votes. Seat 4 incumbent Monica Murdaugh ran unopposed. John Floyd also ran unopposed for Seat 3. Seat 3 incumbent Richard B. Josey didn’t seek re-election.
The election ran smoothly, though there was some confusion over district lines. In July, the town manager made a formal request of the Department of Justice for current maps but to date have not received them. McKenzie said he didn’t have any issues with his district but agreed the maps need to be updated. “Take for example Brockington Street that runs by Cumbee Tire. The houses on the left are in District 5 and the houses on the right are in District 4,” said McKenzie. “That certainly can confuse and frustrate a voter and that’s not what you need on election day.” McKenzie added that he appreciated the voter turnout and hopes to see a greater turnout the second time around. ”I’ll be calling on people but I also would like to encourage everyone to exercise their privilege to vote on November 17,” he said.
As a councilmember, McKenzie has shared in several positive changes for the town of Kingstree. Most recently council and the town manager have gone forward with several paving projects, water and sewer projects and a long needed water rate increase necessary to meet eligibility requirements for USDA Rural Development grant funds. McKenzie added that their revitalization efforts are continuing. “We are also working as hard as we can with the monetary limits we have to renovate downtown,” he said. “Slowly but surely we’re cleaning up by tearing down dilapidated buildings, enforcing codes and in doing so, creating a better town for everyone to enjoy.”
Challenger Bubba Hammet agreed with McKenzie’s thoughts on voter turnout saying historically it is difficult to get voters back to the polls so he plans to rev up his campaign efforts in the coming days. “We’re just going to start all over again, going door to door,” said Hammet. He hopes his past and present service, as a civic-minded citizen will lay the groundwork on election day. Hammet is currently serving on the Kingstree Architectural Review Board and a member of the Revolving Loan Review Committee that is a subcommittee of Waccamaw Council of Governments. He is president of the Williamsburgh Historical Society and an active member of Keep Williamsburg Beautiful. Previously, Hammet was a member of the Revitalization Board, Quality of Place, and Williamsburg Tourism Committee. “With the valuable knowledge I have obtained while serving on these boards and committees, combined with the pride I have for Kingstree and with enthusiasm and hard work, I am ready to work with town council in preserving and enhancing such a wonderful town we have.” In 2007, McKenzie marginally defeated Hammet in a special election to fill the seat vacated by Ricky Burrows who had won the mayoral position.