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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>St. Helena Island native Willie Turral stood on the Beaufort City Hall steps Saturday, March 12, and announced his intention to run for Beaufort County Auditor in the 2022 Fall Election.</p>
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<p>Turral told a gathering of fellow Republicans, family and friends, “Beaufort County deserves better.”</p>
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<p>A long-time educator, and community leader, as well as a student of government and public policy, Turral said he knows the importance of the often obscure and poorly understood office.</p>
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<p>“I believe in the fundamental values of faith, freedom, and family,” he said. “I believe in a government that does only that which is necessary, that follows its own laws, and treats every citizen with respect and fairness. These values will be at the core of my campaign and my service when elected.”</p>
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<p>A graduate of Beaufort High School and UCS Beaufort, Turral began his career in community service as a teacher at St. Helena Elementary School. He also served as the Executive Director of a non-profit organization dedicated to helping troubled youth, AMI Kids Beaufort.</p>
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<p>Turral is now a second-year law student at the Charleston School of Law with a focus on community rights. A single father of three and Chairman of Beaufort County Young Republicans, Turral said he is determined to improve local government representation.</p>
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<p>Turral is looking to replace embattled Auditor Jim Beckert.</p>
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<p>Elected to a four-year term in 2018, Beckert has been sued twice by the county and is facing two separate harassment suits from Beaufort County Treasurer Maria Walls and former Beaufort County Financial Officer Alicia Holland.</p>
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<p>Turral’s supporters include Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner, S.C. State Senator Tom Davis and current Beaufort County Treasurer Maria Walls.</p>
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<p>“Willie's professional experience and commitment to our community will make him a great Auditor,” Walls said in a news release. “I am looking forward to him establishing a positive, collaborative environment between the Treasurer and Auditor offices.”</p>
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