CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Mayor John Tecklenburg has won a second term in office after Mike Seekings conceded the race Tuesday night.
“You have given me and Sandy and my family, the honor of a lifetime to serve our brothers and sisters, the citizens in the city of Charleston,” Tecklenburg told his supporters Tuesday night at his downtown watch party.
Tecklenburg said Seekings called him to congratulate him, and he looked forward to working with him and other councilmembers.
“We are about the business of making Charleston stronger in the next four years,” Tecklenburg said."We’re going to work with everybody."
Seekings watched the results Tuesday night at his home with staffers and volunteers, and released the following statement:
Thank you to our team, to our volunteers, to our supporters and to Charleston. It’s been an honor. Now, back to work!
On Nov. 5, Tecklenburg brought in 48 percent (12,529) votes while Seekings brought in 34 percent (8,975). Because neither candidate reached the total of 50% plus one additional vote, a runoff was required.
In a press release the day after the election,Seekings said one thing he and the Mayor both agree on is that there should be an open conversation about “the issues.”
On Monday night, both Seekings and Tecklenburgappeared on Live 5 to have that conversation in a last-minute attempt to sway voters.
Officials say just under 1,000 absentee ballots were sent in for the runoff.
In addition to the mayor’s race, a runoff was held for Charleston City Council District 3. Unofficial results show Jason Sakran garnering the most votes with 987 to incumbent James Lewis’ 962 votes.
And in Moncks Corner, voters decided between Johna Bilton and DeWayne Kitts for a town council seat. Late Tuesday night results showed Kitts leading with 215 votes to Bilton’s 110 votes.
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