Charleston Mayoral Race: Frontrunner In Trouble

LEON STAVRINAKIS FIGHTING FOR POLITICAL LIFE IN HOLY CITY RUNOFF

A little over two months after his campaign released a poll showing him with a 2-to-1 lead over his nearest rival, S.C. Representative Leon Stavrinakis finished a close second in the race for mayor of Charleston, S.C.

With all precincts reporting, Stavrinakis got 8,666 votes – or 35 percent of the ballots cast.  That put him just behind local businessman John Tecklenburg, who got 8,930 voters – or 36 percent.

Because neither candidate received more than fifty percent of the vote, a runoff will be held on November 17.

Local nonprofit director Ginny Deerin – who blasted Stavrinakis over the last few weeks for his refusal to support a gas tax hike – finished in third place with 4,377 votes (17 percent).  She’s expected to endorse Tecklenburg’s candidacy – which could create a real problem for Stavrinakis (especially if she vocally bashes him over the next two weeks).

We’re also told some significant “enviro money” is going to into Tecklenburg’s bid – ostensibly due to his position on a controversial cruise ship terminal proposed by the scandal-scarred S.C. State Ports Authority (SCSPA).

Anyway, expect some real fireworks in this race between now and November 17 …

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