My name is Mary Jeans Otto, and I am running for Beaufort County Council. I moved to Beaufort County 19 years ago and have been a resident of the 5th District for 16 years. The 5th District spans from Sun City, along Highway 170 to Habersham.
Otto: Steady, informed, accountable leadership Read More »
By Dr. Sam McCown I am not a career politician. I am a physician, successful businessman, a husband, a father, Eagle Scout, and a Christian conservative who believes Washington has
McCown: Washington is broken — my conservative prescription will fix it Read More »
One of the best drives in America has got to be the drive along U.S. 17 through the ACE Basin and then entering the watershed of the Port Royal Sound. Everything about this drive exudes quintessential Lowcountry: grand live oaks, salt marshes across the horizon, and beautiful waterways worthy of a Pat Conroy novel or 10.
Byars: Protect the Lowcountry we love Read More »
One highlight from last week’s news was the fact that a record number of registered South Carolina voters went to the polls on the first day of early voting and that held true in Beaufort County.
Lowcountry Lowdown: Beaufort voters turn out for early voting Read More »
Thomas Grygowski, a Republican candidate for the Beaufort County Council’s 5th District seat, held a meet and greet at Fuel and Fire in Port Royal on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Thomas Grygowski at Fuel and Fire Read More »
Ahead of the June 9 primary election, The Island News sent detailed candidate questionnaires to those running in several contested local and state races impacting Beaufort County voters. Doug Seifert and Joey “JoJo” Woodward Jr. offered sharply different views on the current direction of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, with both Republican candidates emphasizing public safety, transparency and support for deputies while differing on priorities, leadership style and the agency’s current performance.
Ahead of the June 9 primary election, The Island News sent detailed candidate questionnaires to those running in several contested local and state races impacting Beaufort County voters. Republican candidates for Beaufort County Council District 5 — Joshua Hower, Mary Jeans Otto and Joe Maiorano — all centered their campaigns on concerns about rapid growth and preserving the Lowcountry’s character, though each candidate offered different ideas for managing development, infrastructure and government oversight.
A GOP push to overhaul South Carolina’s congressional map ended Tuesday, May 26, as a record-setting start to early voting prompted Republican senators to abandon their support.
Late SC GOP redistricting push fails amid record start to early voting Read More »
Former Gov. Mark Sanford said he is “stepping aside” in the race for South Carolina’s coastal 1st District, but he’ll still be on GOP primary ballots.
Former Gov. Sanford ends bid for SC’s 1st District Read More »
Four Republicans seeking to be South Carolina’s next governor met on stage Wednesday, April 1, for a debate that turned out to be mostly congenial, with the most obvious separation on their stances coming from a question about gambling.
4 candidates for SC governor keep it civil at 1st SC GOP debate Read More »
