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Volume 21 • Issue 10
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October 31, 2025
Isle of Palms Mayor’s Race Heads to Runoff; Two New Council Members Elected
Phillip Pounds
Scott Pierce
By Christian Senger Voters on the Isle of Palms made their voices heard in the Nov. 4 municipal elections, resulting in a mayoral runoff and the addition of two new faces to City Council. In the mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Phillip Pounds fell just short of winning another term outright, receiving 939 votes, or 48.43%, just under the 50%-plus-one threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Council member Scott Pierce finished close behind with 886 votes, or 45.69%, securing a spot in the Nov. 18 runoff. Challenger Jon Regan Walters earned 113 votes, or 5.83%. Polls for the mayoral runoff will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the following locations: • Isle of Palms 1A — Isle of Palms City Hall, 1207 Palm Blvd. • Isle of Palms 1B & 1C — Isle of Palms Recreation Center, 24 28th Ave. Early voting ended Nov. 14.
Voters also selected four members to the Isle of Palms City Council: David Cohen, Bev Miller, and incumbents Katie Miars and John Bogosian. The full results of the Isle of Palms City Council race are as follows: • David Cohen — 1,069 votes (15.62%) • Bev Miller — 1,003 votes (14.65%) • Katie Miars (incumbent) — 977 votes (14.27%) • John Bogosian (incumbent) — 954 votes (13.94%) • Zach Lary — 877 votes (12.81%) • Krista Swingle — 873 votes (12.75%) • Andrew J. Vega — 866 votes (12.65%) • Larry Kramer — 189 votes (2.76%) • Write-in — 37 votes (0.54%)
O’Neil Re-Elected as Sullivan’s Island Mayor; Two Newcomers Join Town Council By Christian Senger Voters on Sullivan’s Island made their choices for town leadership in the Nov. 4 municipal election, re-electing Mayor Patrick O’Neil to another term and ushering in two new members to Town Council. O’Neil, who ran unopposed on the ballot, secured 481 votes, or 54.17%, holding off a late write-in challenge from local resident Brian Hellman, who received 407 votes, or 45.83%. In the race for three at-large Town Council seats, newcomers Melanie Burkhold and Laura Schroeder won alongside incumbent Justin Novak. Incumbent council members Scott Millimet and Gary Visser did not retain their seats. The full results are as follows: Town Council: • Laura Schroeder — 555 votes (23.01%) • Melanie Burkhold — 541 votes (22.43%) • Justin Novak (incumbent) — 485 votes (20.11%) • Scott Millimet (incumbent) — 413 votes (17.12%) • Gary Visser (incumbent) — 396 votes (16.42%) • Write-in — 22 votes (0.91%) Mayor: • Patrick O’Neil (incumbent) — 481 votes (54.17%) • Write-in — 407 votes (45.83%)
Isle of Palms Recreation to Host Coffee and Canines Nov. 15 By Kelsey Marsh The Isle of Palms Recreation Department will host Coffee and Canines on Nov. 15 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Bark Park, located at the IOP Recreation Center, 24 28th Ave. Bring your furry friend for a laid-back morning featuring live music from Dallas Baker and coffee and breakfast treats from Daddy’s Breakfast and Espresso. For more information, visit www.iop.net/recreation or call the Isle of Palms Recreation Department at 843-886-8294.